Obituaries

James A Franklin, a.k.a. “What a guy”, age 64 of Pelkie, MI passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2017 at The Lighthouse in Hancock, MI., after a short battle with cancer. He was born June 18, 1953 in Detroit, MI son of Sherrill and Dorothy (Holderfield) Franklin.  James graduated from …

Julia Simila, 88, a resident of Calumet passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2017 at the Lighthouse of Hubbell. I was born on February 12, 1929, to Blaz Pintar and Paulina Safar Pintar with the help of a midwife in the family home in Ahmeek, MI. My father immigrated …

Judith “Judy” Rota, 73, a resident of Phoenix passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Friday, February 10, 2017. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Siskiwit Reception Hall in …

HOUGHTON Helen Julia Karsama, 86, a resident of the Bluffs in Houghton, who returned to the area after 20 years of retirement in Florida, died at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock, on ­­­­­Sunday, July 2, 2017. She was born Helen J. Pesola on May 29, 1931, to …

Calumet–Mary Polglase, age 92, passed away on July 4, 2017 at the Shulstad Senior Living Home in Baraga, where she had resided the past several years. Mary was born in Calumet, a daughter of Olive Polglase.  She was a great-granddaughter of Joseph Blight, who founded the Eagle River Fuse Company …

A memorial service will be held for Myrtle Luoma at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2017 with Pastor David Taivalkoski to officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:30 until the time of service. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy contributions may …

Debra Ann (Lundy) Niemela, age 62 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at Bayside Village in L’Anse. She was born June 6, 1955 in L’Anse, daughter of Dennis and RuthAnn (Fredrickson) Lundy. Debra graduated from L’Anse High School in 1973. She worked for Home Care Medical …

Thomas E. Chobanian, Sr., 70, a resident of Donken, died unexpectedly early Tuesday morning, July 4, 2017, at U.P. Health System–Portage. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Mountain View Mortuary of South Range, Antila Funeral Service, Inc.

Robert E. O’Neill, 97, former owner and director of the O’Neill Funeral Home in Hancock for over fifty years, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2017 at U.P. Health System-Portage in Hancock. He was born in Gering, Nebraska on April 19, 1920, son of the late Emmett C. and Catherine …

Rodney A. Tarvainen, age 78, of Covington passed away Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital, L’Anse. He was born in Covington on October 17, 1938, the son of the late August and Elna (Salli) Tarvainen. Rodney graduated from L’Anse High School in 1956. On August 22, 1959 …