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As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel:
William W. “Bill” Jondreau, Sr. age 55 of Baraga, MI passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side. He was born in L’Anse on September 30, 1967 the son of the late Alice Jondreau. Bill was a person who had the opportunity to share all the love that he had inside him. His cup was overflowing so much that could fill everyone else’s cup with love and compassion. That’s the man he was and that’s the man we will remember him as. Bill graduated from Baraga High School in 1985. He attended North Michigan University and received his Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice in 1990. Bill had worked as a tribal police officer and game warden for GLIFWC and then began his career with the Michigan Department of Corrections at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility in 1993. While working for the prison he served as Residential Unit Officer, Case Manager, Residential Unit Manager and retired after 26 years as Assistant Deputy Warden. Bill was a member of Most Holy Name of Jesus Blessed Kateri Tekawitha Catholic Church and served as Parish Council President. He was also a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Tribal Council, worked in the judicial branch as Associate Judge, Appellate Judge and finally Chief Judge. and was a member of the Ojibwa Senior Center. He served as a former chairman for Lake Superior Community Development Corporation, and volunteered his time to many activities’ events and organizations. Bill was a lifelong member of the Baraga Fire Department, was a Baraga School Board Member, had coached little league for many years and youth basketball. He enjoyed hunting, gill net fishing, boating, camping and was an avid Steelers fan. Bill’s greatest love and joy were his two sons, who he was so proud of.
Bill is survived by his loving sons William Jondreau, Jr., and Steele Jondreau, his sons mother Roberta Jondreau of Baraga, granddaughter Kacey Lee, sisters Helen Jondreau (RD Curtis), Suzanne Jondreau, and DeAnna (Suzette) Hadden all of Baraga, step dad Steve Hadden of Baraga, step siblings Dale Hadden of Alston, and Delana Hadden of MI, fiancé Emily Shardlow of Rockland, step children Danielle (Dustin) Boyak of Bellaire, MI, Trista Shardlow (Ty Mulari) of Rockland, and Ella Shardlow of Rockland, and nephews Ty Curtis (Casey Reynolds) and Robert Curtis both of Baraga. He was preceded in death by his mother Alice, grandparents Boyzie and Mino Jondreau, and step brother Daniel.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse with Father Corey Litzner officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Immediately following the funeral service, traditional native drumming will take place at the funeral home followed by a feast at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Niiwin Akeaa Center, Baraga. If anyone wishes to bring a dish to pass to the luncheon, the doors will be open after 9 a.m.
Spring burial will take place in the Assinins Cemetery.
Bill’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.reidfuneralservicchapel.com
The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
