Mark Maki (a/k/a "HulaMaki"), 68 of Ontonagon passed away on April 24, 2024 in a place he always said he was "with Jesus" … the woods in Greenland Township. Mark was born March 17, 1956 in Hancock, Michigan to Chester and Mabel (Malenck) Maki. He was the sixth child born to a family of 10 children. Mark married Debbie Miller of Alston, and they had one son together, Wesley Maki. He loved growing up in Mass City where he explored caves and scoured the mountains of mine rock in the area for Copper and Datolite. While living in the Upper Peninsula, Mark worked in a multitude of professions … he was a welder at the White Pine Mine, a deputy and undersheriff with the Ontonagon County Sheriff's Department, he worked as a chef on the Great Lakes Ore ships and as a guide and cook for hunters visiting Ontonagon County. Mark also owned his own house painting and snow removal business. He was a main fixture at the Mass City VFW when smelt fries and "hunters" dinner events were so popular. His knowledge of the vast wilderness in Ontonagon County proved to be very valuable as he helped in finding a lost child near Trout Creek while employed with the Sheriff's Department.

In the early 1980's, Mark traveled south and settled in the Merrillville, Indiana area. He touched many lives in that area with his compassion and generosity for the homeless and the downtrodden. Mark had a passion for estate sales and found much joy in telling his friends and family about his rare finds and what he was able to sell them for. A favorite memory is the purchase of an ambulance that he converted into what he referred to as an "off the grid home in the city". He drew a lot of attention to that "home" as he had it wrapped with a Star Trek theme that included the "BEAM ME UP" logo.

Mark had returned to the Upper Peninsula in 2022 and was welcomed home with open arms by all who knew him. Mark was blessed with the ability to tell great stories … now, they may or may not have been factual, as he did acquire the Maki family trait of BS'ing. What made him such a good BS'er? His true stories were often more unbelievable than

the BS stories. Coming home brought him back to all the things he loved in life. The Big Lake gave him the opportunity to renew his joy of fishing, something he attributed to his Grandpa Sam Maki. After his early morning fishing adventures off the shores at Union Bay, you could find Mark traveling the back roads he had discovered when he was younger. Mark enjoyed cooking and baking, which he shared so generously by hand delivering homemade sourdough bread, cookies, scones, and homemade soups to many in the community. He was always happy to provide baked goods for local fundraising events and Church meals.

Mark is survived by his son, Wesley (Heather Funke) of Ootsberg, Wisconsin, granddaughters Natasha and Jerrica, as well as brothers Dennis "DC" (Fay) Maki, Charles "Chuck" (Bonnie) Maki, Wade (Ann) Maki, youngest brother Dean Maki, his sisters Christina (Stephen) Blevins and Trudi (Scott) Phillips. Mark is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews of several generations as well as his dear friend Steen. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother Norman, sisters Judi Paeske, Marilyn Kempen and nephews William Maki and Cole Stamper.

The family would like to thank John Cane and the staff at Cane Funeral Home as well as Suzanne J. Miron, NP and the staff at the UPGL Family Health office in Ontonagon. We'd also like to thank Kip McIntyre and the crew he organized to locate Mark.

A graveside service will be held at the Greenland Cemetery at a date to be determined. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or plants, memorials be donated to the Greenland 4th of July Committee, Ontonagon County Animal Protection or your local cancer association.

Greenland 4th of July Celebration
PO Box 232, Greenland MI 49929

OCAP
19504 State Hwy M-38, Ontonagon MI 49953
Tel: 1-906-884-2500

Ontonagon County Cancer Association
P O Box 282, Ontonagon MI 49953
Web: http://ontctycancer.org