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UPDATE: A Memorial service will be held 11:30 am Saturday, July 26, 2025, at S.S. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton with Rev. Kevin Bender to officiate. Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery. Friends may call on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 10:00 am until the time of services at S.S. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church of Houghton.
Jean Ethelyn Maki, 85, a resident of Chassell, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Medora House of Portage Pointe in Hancock, where she had been a patient since September of 2024.
She was born on February 25, 1940, in Askel Hill, MI, a daughter of the late John and Mayme (Onkalo) Heikkinen. Jean was raised in Askel Hill and was a graduate of the John A. Doelle School with the class of 1958. Jean was very fluent in reading, writing and speaking Finnish.
On July 23, 1960, she was united in marriage to Raymond A. Maki. The couple resided in Toivola for a short time before moving to make their home in Chassell, where they raised their two children. Many summers were spent working alongside her husband at their Sylrene Cottages on Lakeshore Drive. On March 13, 2009, her beloved husband Raymond preceded Jean in death.
Mrs. Maki had worked for Ray Piiparinen at Soumi College. She then worked in the Financial Aid Department at Michigan Technological University, retiring after 19 years of service to the University One day when she was walking to work at Suomi College she had passed the barber shop that Ray owned, and he had mentioned that i’m going to marry her someday, and he did. They were married for 49 years until Ray’s passing.
Jean enjoyed car rides along the lake with family, reading, painting, and bowling in a league until her 80s. She liked to have conversations over a meal. Jean was more than a Grandma. She was a friend and was always there to listen. Her most cherished times were those spent with her grandkids and great-grandchildren… She always remembered their birthdays and loved watching them open their Christmas gifts. Upon leaving from a visit, her great-grandchildren would always be handed a goodie to take home. Being 100% Finnish on both sides of her family she made the best Kala-moyakaa, kalakuku, pannukakku. She will be greatly missed.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Ray, her parents, her siblings, Sigrid (as an infant) Iver Heikkinen, Edsel Heikkinen and Judith Wenberg.
Surviving are:
Her children: Kim (Anita) Maki of Chassell and Karen (James) McInnis of Chelsea, MI, her grandchildren: Nathaniel, RyLee (Marshall) Kemppainen, Kyle, Briah (Noah) Stromer, Krista (Steven) Bixby and Katie; her great-grandchildren: Everest, Lyliaitta, Levi, Colten, Brynley, Reid, and Juliet; Several nieces, nephews and cousins.
On behalf of the family, they would like to thank all the CNAs, nurses, and staff at Portage Hospital and Portage Pointe, along with Darcy, Paulette, and Judy for their outstanding love, care, and friendship.
Moi moi minun hyva aiti ja hyva isoaiti… Jumalan rauhaa ja rakkautta sinulle ikuisesti…
A celebration of life for Jean will be held later this year with burial in the Chassell Cemetery.
To view Jean’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Chassell Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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