Gary Allen Cronkright Jr.
Jun 7, 2026
Gary Allen Cronkright Jr., 67, of Iron River, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on June 7, 2026, as a result of an automobile accident. Born and raised in Trout Creek, Michigan, Gary built a life centered around service, hard work, family, and community. Throughout his life, he was known not only for his dedication to those around him, but also for...
Jeffrey Gordon Helsius
Jun 5, 2026
Jeffrey Gordon Helsius passed away unexpectedly at his home on June 5th, 2026. He was born on December 5th, 1959 in Ishpeming, Michigan the son of David and Janet Helsius of Trout Creek, Michigan. Jeffrey lived in Trout Creek with his loving wife Virginia of 29 years.
Jeffrey graduated from Andrews University in 1987 with a degree in Religion and...
Edward C. Malnar
May 24, 2026
Edward C. Malnar, 90, of Ewen, passed away on Sunday, May 24,2026.
Edward was born in Ewen, Michigan on February 19, 1936, the son of the late Edward and Ida (nee: Wolfe) Malnar. Edward proudly served in the United States Army, Airborne division during the Korean conflict. He was stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged. Edward retired from Case Tractor...
Laurie Lou Juopperi
May 15, 2026
Laurie Lou (Beck) Juopperi, 89, of Hurley, WI, was peacefully called to eternal life on May 15, 2026. Her daughters were at her side.
Laurie was born on June 19, 1936 in Ontonagon, MI to the late Arthur and Irene (Waisanen) Beck. She graduated from Ontonagon Area High School in 1954, and went on to business school in Green Bay WI...
Donald John Miilu
May 6, 2026
Donald Miilu, 90, passed away May 6, 2026. A celebration of Donald's life will be held and announced at a later date.
Delores A. Dix
May 6, 2026
Delores Dix "Tootie", age 90, of Greenland, passed away on May 6 following a brief illness. She had been a resident at the Gogebic County Medical Facility since April 2026.
Delores was born on July 11, 1935, to Leon and Bernice (Wilson) DeHut. On June 19, 1954, she married Robert Dix, and together they built a loving home in Greenland,...
Jack Pottala
May 2, 2026
Jack "Jacko" Pottala, Jr., 65, of Fairview Park, OH passed away May 2, 2026. Jack was born May 5, 1960 in Phelps, Wisconsin. He grew up on the family homestead in Kenton, Michigan and worked with his father logging for many years. He then traveled the United States on survey crews for gas pipelines and fiber optic cable before settling...
Patricia Walker
Apr 28, 2026
Patricia "Pat" Alyce Walker (Martin), age 75, passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Pat was born on March 21, 1951, in Ontonagon, Michigan, to Ivan and Alice Martin. She grew up rooted in the values of family, kindness, and hard work that would define her life.
On October 5, 1968,...
Kelly James Sullivan
Apr 26, 2026
Kelly James Sullivan, 53, formerly of Ontonagon/Rockland passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Kelly was born on April 14, 1973, to the late Donald C. Sullivan and Mary Ann (Bussiere) Owens. He was the youngest of their four children.
He spent his early years growing up in Rockland, later moving to Ontonagon, before eventually landing in Phoenix, AZ. It is...
Caryl M Johnson
Apr 21, 2026
Caryl M. Johnson, 72 passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on April 21, 2026 at Marshfield Medical Clinic in Marshfield, WI.
She was born on February 15, 1954, in Ontonagon, MI, the daughter of Claude and June Sandy. Caryl was united in marriage to Ronald Johnson on March 20, 1971. Together they raised four children.
Caryl was a long-time...
Forrest Kangas
Apr 18, 2026
Forrest "Jim" James Kangas, of Ontonagon, Michigan, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 28, 1949, in Ontonagon, Michigan, to Edwin and Albertine (Dahlstrom) Kangas-Castaneda.
Jim married his high school sweetheart, Susan J. Kangas (Lahti), on July 9, 1977. Together they built...
Preston Elsner
Apr 9, 2026
Preston Elsner, born March 6, 1956, of White Pine passed away on April 9, 2026, in Duluth, MN.
Preston graduated high school in Ontonagon as an honor student with a welding certification. He went to college with a scholarship to Northern Michigan University in Marquette where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He majored in history and community education and...
Donna May Brookins
Apr 8, 2026
Donna M. Brookins passed away peacefully on April 8th at Legacy of the Northwoods in Eagle River, WI. She was born to Henry and Ellen Calkins on August 27th, 1938.
Donna married the love of her life, Leroy Brookins, on November 30th, 1957, and together they raised six children. She worked for many years as a playground attendant for Ontonagon School....
Lois Marie Murray
Apr 7, 2026
Lois M. Murray, 98, passed away peacefully at home in Ontonagon on April 7, 2026.
Lois shared 60 years with her husband John. She was a skilled artist, cook and baker and loved sharing her creations with her friends and family. Lois worked as a registered nurse in Chicago, a med/surgical nurse and ER nurse and a nurse at Ontonagon...
Shirley A. Johns
Apr 1, 2026
Heaven became a touch spicier on April 1st, 2026 with the arrival of Shirley Ann Johns, a beloved woman known for her fiery spirit and zest for life. She was born on September 8th, 1934 to Tom and Mayme (Kangas) Clark, happily residing her whole life in Ontonagon County. On December 3rd, 1994, she married Howard "Skippy" Johns, who passed away in 2011.
Shirley saw...
Ronald Wayne Daniels
Apr 1, 2026
Ronald Wayne Daniels was born to Alvin & Barbara (Stapp) Daniels December 31, 1949, in Great Bend, KS.
After high school in 1968 in Ontonagon, Ron enlisted in the Navy.
Ron's basic training was at Great Lakes, IL where he was educated as a hospital corpsman (8404) during the Viet Nam war. Ron put in 3 requests to serve in Viet Nam...
Arnold Donald Anttila
Mar 29, 2026
Arnold "Manny" Anttila 92, of Ontonagon, passed away March 29, 2026 at his home in Ontonagon.
Arnold was born on March 13, 1934, to Tyyne (Aho) and Frank Anttila in Mass City. He married Marilyn Sparpanic in Highland Park, Michigan in 1956 and they enjoyed 63 years together.
Arnold entered the Army in the 1950's and was a proud veteran. He worked...
John Turpeinen
Mar 25, 2026
John Turpeinen left this world on March 25th, 2026, while hospitalized at UP Health System Marquette. He was born on September 9th, 1929, at his residence in Greenland Michigan. He was raised by his parents Andrew and Hilda in Mass City Michigan after they moved their home from the site in Greenland. He attended school until the 8th grade and...
Betty Lillian Sullivan
Mar 22, 2026
Betty L Sullivan, 96, of Woodruff, Wisconsin, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Friendly Village Rest Home in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.Betty was born on September 12, 1929 to Luther and Mabel (Fankell) Johnson.She spent her early years working in the tobacco fields proudly helping her father plant seeds. She married young and devoted her life to raising...
Gary Hugo Lukkari
Mar 7, 2026
Gary Hugo Lukkari, age 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 7, 2026, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.
Gary was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Carol; his parents, Hugo Lukkari and Elsa (Keranen) Robb; his stepfather, James Robb; and his brother, Bradley.
He is survived by his three children: Mike (Darcy), Eric (Annie),...
