Obituaries
Local Obituaries for Families in Ontonagon and Bruce Crossing, MI
Robert Eino Besonen
Nov 1, 2018
Robert E. Besonen, 89, of Ewen, MI, passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2018, with his loving wife at his side. Robert was born on December 28, 1928, in Duncan Township to Alex and Tynne (Laturi) Besonen. He married the former Rachel Juntila in National Mine on October 16, 1952, and celebrated 66 years of marriage this fall. Robert...
Doris Mae Cherro
Oct 27, 2018
On October 27 2018 Doris used the angel wings she so rightfully earned and departed this earth and went into Heaven.
Doris Mae (Duncan) Cherro was born to Giles & Anna Mae Duncan on November 19, 1933. On a blind date she met John Cherro & shortly after, on March 21, 1953 they were married in Duluth,...
Diana M. Kaikko
Oct 21, 2018
Diana M. Kaikko, 81, of Greenland, passed away on October 21, 2018. She was born on August 17, 1937 in Mass City, Michigan and was the daughter of Oswald and Clarice (McGaughey) Mackey. She attended school in Mass City and graduated in 1955. She married her high school sweetheart, Arnold "Bud" Kaikko on June 13, 1957. He preceded her...
Gary Allen Mitchell Cronkright
Oct 21, 2018
Gary "Mick" Cronkright
Gary Allen-Mitchell Cronkright, 80, of Trout Creek passed away on October 21st, 2018, at the Iron County Medical Care facility in Crystal Falls. He was born May 27th, 1938, in Trout Creek, MI. Son of the late Adelbert and Clistia Cronkright.
He worked at the White Pine Copper Mine, as well as...
Pamela Ann Niemi
Oct 18, 2018
Pamela Ann Niemi
Pamela Ann Niemi, 53, of Ontonagon was born to Lou and Paul Niemi on November 19, 1964. She passed away in Wausau, Wisconsin on October 18, 2018.
Pamela is survived by her Fiancé, Jim Meagher; Children, Kirsten (Jason) Jarvi, Brandon (Mandy) Toolanen, Shannon (Ryan Mortenson) Toolanen, Courtney (Dan) Kessler; Grandchildren, Taylor, Hayden,...
George Frederick Barron
Oct 3, 2018
George Frederick Barron, age 95, passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital in Ontonagon, MI. George was born November 22, 1922 in Superior, WI to Carol and Marie Baron (Kobel).
He is survived by his wife Ilona (Makinen) of Ontonagon and his son Fred Barron.
Graveside services will take place Monday, October...
Ora Lee (Pittsley) Westie
Oct 2, 2018
Ora Lee (Pittsley) Westie passed away October 2, 2018 at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin after a lengthy illness.
She was born December 23, 1940 in Calderwood (Bond Falls), Michigan to Robert and Elaine Pittsley. Ora graduated from the Trout Creek Schools in 1958. Ora was united in marriage June 14, 1958 with Philip Westie. ...
Christine Marie Cribb
Sep 16, 2018
Christine Marie Cribb 52 of Rockland passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 at her home in Rockland.
She was born November 22, 1965 in Milwaukee, WI to Ervin & Brigitte (Deluca) Fuchs.
Christine was the mother of 3 children & wife of 25 years. She will be remembered as a kind & caring person, a...
John (Jack) F. Townsend
Sep 16, 2018
John F. Townsend lifelong resident of Ontonagon passed away peacefully on September 16, 2018 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He spent the last few months at Omega House Hospice house in Houghton, MI.John (also known affectionately as Jack) was born in Ontonagon, Michigan on September 6, 1923 to Goodenough and Faybelle Townsend.
John attended local schools...
Richard Bruce Huhtala
Sep 11, 2018
Richard Bruce Huhtala 66, Green Bay, WI passed away Tuesday evening September 11, 2018, at a Milwaukee hospital. He was born May 26th, 1952 in Wakefield MI, the son of Arne and Jane (McCorry) Huhtala.
Rick graduated from Ewen High School in 1970. He spent most of his adult life in sales. Not only was Rick at...
Iris Miriam (Carlisle) Barnbrook
Sep 11, 2018
Iris Miriam Barnbrook, 83 of Trout Creek, passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at her home. She was born July 16, 1935 to Mose Willard Carlisle and Eini Helena (Lampinen) Carlisle.
She enlisted in the Marines on May 1, 1955 and was Honorably Discharged. She married Fredrick Barbrook on July 23, 1955 in North Carolina. She loved...
Michael W. (Sully) Sullivan
Sep 9, 2018
Michael W. Sullivan (Sully) went home to be with his savior on September 9, 2018.
He was born in Ontonagon to Ralph & Irene (Alanen) Sullivan on July 14, 1945. While living downstate, he met & married the love of his life for 45 years, Helen.
Loving husband of Helen (Scofield) father of Dawn, Erik...
Beatrice Elaine Guy
Sep 6, 2018
Beatrice Elaine Guy 87 of Rockland, MI passed away Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital's Long Term Care Unit.
She was born February 28. 1931 to Holden & Anne (Eckelbecker) Guller in Kalamazoo, MI. Beatrice was the owner of the Buckhorn bar for 20 years. Beatrice is survived by her husband James Guy, 3 daughters...
Alfred Duane Rogers
Sep 4, 2018
Alfred Rogers, 81, of Watersmeet, passed away on September 4th at the Aspirus Iron River Hospital..
Alfred was born in Fenwick, MI to Gayla and Albert Rogers on June 3rd, 1937. He went to school in Fremont, MI. He married Elvira Dellorto on August 6th, 1959 in Corinth, Mississippi. He owned his own carpet business, Roger's Carpet...
David Lawrence (Dog) Distel
Sep 1, 2018
David Lawrence (Dog) Distel, 74, passed away peacefully in his cherished Ontonagon home with his wife Lynn and her daughter Kirsten by his side, on September 01, 2018.
David was born on January 21, 1944, in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, to Lawrence and Maryann Distel. His father was in charge of German prisoners and when the war ended they...
Carol Jean Colgin
Aug 23, 2018
Carol Jean (Freimuth) Colgin, 90, of Ontonagon, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on August 23, 2018 at Aspirus Hospital Long Term Facility, where she had been a resident for a very short time.
Carol was born in Mellon, Wisconsin on January 27, 1928 to Joseph and Genevieve Freimuth. She graduated from Ontonagon High School...
Debra Louise (Bartley) Guzek
Aug 21, 2018
Debra Louise Guzek of Ontonagon, passed away on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital. She was born in Lansing, MI to Robert & GeorgA (Evans) Bartley on January 20, 1956. She married Peter Guzek on October 1, 1976. Debra enjoyed spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband Peter. Daughter, Lori (KIay)...
Roberta (Pittsley) Vizina
Aug 17, 2018
Roberta Vizina 12-03-1945 to 08-17-2018
It is with sadness in our hearts we say goodbye to Bobbie but we rejoice she has joined Jesus in heaven. She was a happy homemaker and a friend to all. She loved her family and friends with no boundaries. Her warm heart and giving spirit were known by everyone. She was...
Mary A. Saaranen
Aug 8, 2018
Mary Alyce Saaranen, age 81, of Mass City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on August 8th, 2018 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI.
Mary was born in Byron, MI to William E. and Coralie N. Pickard on July 24, 1937.
She grew up in a loving family of 7 kids.
Mary went to school...
Carol May Maki
Aug 5, 2018
Carol Maki
MASS CITY, Mich. — Carol Maki, a longtime resident of the Mass City area known to locals as East Branch, died Sunday, August 5 at her home. She was 68.
Born May 13, 1950, she was the youngest daughter of Waino and Florence (Korri) Niemi, who at the time lived in Sidnaw, Michigan....

