All Obituaries

David James Bemis, "Ogimaa Mikinaak Inini" age 41 of Iron Mountain, MI passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021 at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital after a battle with cancer. He was born December 26, 1979 in L'Anse, MI son of Debra Lindner and Ralph Bemis. David graduated from Baraga High School in 1998. He worked as a welder for over 25 years for VanStranten Brothers in Baraga and then Northwoods Manufacturing in Iron Mountain. He owned Beartown Kennels and bred, trained, and sold Redbone...

Joseph Henry Augustine, age 96 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI. He was born December 10, 1924 in New Haven, MI son of Henry and Vivian (Kellogg) Augustine. Joseph graduated from Milford High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, from June 1943 to March 1946. Joseph married Barbara Jean Clark on December 5, 1959 in Wixom, MI. He worked for GM in the power plant and safety research. He was a member of the L'Anse United...

Theodore John Kissel, age 57of L'Anse, MI passed away unexpectedly on July 16, 2021 at his home. He was born January 23, 1964 in L'Anse, son of Robert and Dorothy "Lou" (Osterman) Kissel. Ted graduated from L'Anse High School in 1982 and then attended NMU to become a millwright, and later received his corrections certification from Gogebic College. He served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard reserves. Ted worked in Detroit as an union iron worker, at Selkey's...

Lindsey Rae Loonsfoot, age 35 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Monday, July 5, 2021 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born April 4, 1986 in Hancock, MI daughter to Reynold Furr and Tracy Emery. Lindsey graduated from L'Anse High School in 2004 and then received an associate degree in Early Childhood from Ojibwa Community College. She had her CNA and working toward her RN at Finlandia University. Lindsey worked for KBIC Early Childhood Development, then as a CNA at the Lighthouse in...

Lorena Katherine Domby (née Soli), age 74, of South Lyon, MI, passed away on Monday, June 28th, 2021, at Ascension Providence Hospital of Novi, MI. She was born February 24th, 1947, in Highland Park, MI, the daughter of Howard and Genevieve (Getzen) Soli. Lorena graduated from Ferndale High School, earned a degree in Cosmetology, and later studied Fashion Merchandising and Business Administration at Ferris State University. Before retiring in 2013, Lorena worked as a cosmetologist,...

Donald H. Fish, age 82 of Baraga, MI passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born April 25, 1939 in L'Anse, MI son of Donald and Isabelle (Johnson) Fish. Don graduated from L'Anse High School. He served in the US Army from May 1956-May 1959 and was stationed in Germany, then was in the National Guard. Don married Barbara Mahr on February 11, 1961 in Ahmeek, MI and they resided in Baraga. He retired from the State of Michigan where he worked...

Colin Alen Heikkinen, age 65 of L'Anse, MI died on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Bayside Village in L'Anse after a short illness. He was born January 13, 1956 in L'Anse, son of Reino and Thersa Duschaine. After graduating from L'Anse High School he worked for 40 years at Celotex until retirement. He enjoyed Packer football and th Casino. Surviving are his brothers, Lance Heikkinen of Baraga, Larry (Bonnie) Heikkinen of Aura; former sister-in-law Cecilia Heikkinen Jaggers of...

David E. Firestone, age 78 of Baraga, MI passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021 at his home on Beartown Road. He was born May 5, 1943 in Muskegon, MI son of Earl and Doris (Picard) Firestone. David worked as a chef in various restaurants downstate Michigan and in Florida. He worked for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for 14 years, most recently as the Director of the Ojibwa Senior Center, retiring in 2015. Dave enjoyed playing music with the band, especially playing his harmonica. He...

Gayle Helen Isaacson (Auntie Gayle to many, and more recently, Grandma Gayle, too) age 60 of Pelkie, MI, passed away unexpectedly the morning of June 23rd, 2021 at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, MI, while visiting her sister with her granddaughter. Gayle was born on June 19, 1961 in L'Anse, MI, the youngest daughter of James and Martha (Ollila) Grant. She grew up in Baraga with her four siblings, graduating from Baraga High School in 1979 with wonderful classmates that are still close...

Howard Weldon Maki, age 80 of Alston, MI, was found dead on Sunday, June 20, 2021 in Laird Twp. after being reported missing for several days as a result of dementia. He was born August 12, 1940 in Alston, MI, son of Aake and Impie (Pirhonen) Maki. Howard graduated from Baraga High School in 1958 and then attended NMU. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Detroit riots. In 1964 he purchased Yawkey's Service in Alston and owned and operated it for 57 years. He was a...