All Obituaries

Ramon Cruz Velez, age 80 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, January 12th, 2023 at Bayside Village in L'Anse. Private family services will be held. Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

William L. Barnett, age 87, passed away on January 6th, 2023 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He was born in Detroit, MI on July 17th, 1935 to Edward Bohn and Bertha Wayrynen. He lived in South Range for a short time before moving to Skanee, MI and being adopted by Dayton Barnett. He went to Skanee School and graduated from l'Anse High School in 1953. In 1958 he was drafted by the Army and served through 1960. On June 26th, 1965 he married Theresa Cousineau in Munising, MI. Bill and...

Joseph Christopher Lehto, age 71 of Aura, MI peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at his home in Aura. He was born December 25, 1951 in L’Anse, son of Lila (Saari) and Hugo Lehto. Joe graduated from Negaunee high school in 1970. He briefly studied electrical engineering at Michigan Tech and then began working as an electrician apprentice and later became a master electrician. Joe also worked in the logging industry throughout his life, built his own sawmill and ran a...

Philip Richard Nankervis, loving husband, father, and grandfather, age 79, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022, surrounded by his family following a brief illness. Philip was born on October 2, 1943, in L’Anse Michigan to the late William “Bill” Nankervis and Gertrude (Toyras) Nankervis Elmblad. He was a 1961 graduate of L’Anse High School. After graduation he began working for Celotex Corporation and after receiving a forestry certificate from the University...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Helen (Eleanore Michaelson) Pesola on December 9, 2022. She was born on February 15, 1927, to Mariam (Marie) Lilstrang and Arvo Michaelson. She married Raymond Pesola (deceased) and had two children. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always put her family first. She was a very kind and loving soul who brought joy to everyone she met. As a nurse, she had a generous heart and was always willing to...

Jean Julia Juntunen, age 77 of Baraga, MI passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. She was born May 14, 1945 in Hancock, MI daughter of Alfred and Olga (Sillanpaa) Haataja. Jean attended the Doelle School in Tapiola. Jean married Raymond Juntunen on November 3, 1962 in Tapiola. She was a home maker. Jean enjoyed sewing, knitting, cooking, gardening, traveling with her beloved husband, and spending winters in Lake Worth Florida. Surviving are her...

Howard Tim Ansell, age 70 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 at his home with his family at his side. He was born August 1, 1952 in Galesburg, Illinois to Howard and Joyce (Skiles) Ansell. He married Janice Trudell in 1989. Tim worked for the State of Michigan, Department of Corrections, from 1981 until retiring in 2006 as the assistant deputy warden. He was a Mason and a member of the American Legion. Tim enjoyed camping, Harley riding, fishing, hunting,...

Charles Wayne Pietila, age 85 of Baraga, MI passed away on Tuesday, November 29th, 2022 at the Omega House in Houghton, MI. He was born on September 11, 1937 in Hancock, MI son of Ruth Pietila. Charlie was raised by his grandmother, Ellen Pietila and his uncle and aunt Matt and Marie Pietila. He graduated from Hancock High School in 1955 and then attended Michigan Tech machine trade school. Charlie married the former Iris Tossava on October 3, 1959 at St. Henry's church in Nisula. ...

David Aron Jahfetson, 35, a former resident of Keweenaw Bay, Michigan, died on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, as a result of an automobile accident. He was born Oct. 2, 1987, in L'Anse, MI, a son of Jacob and Elaine (Koski) Jahfetson. David graduated from Baraga High School in 2006 with honors. He was a very hard worker. David helped his parents on the family dairy farm. He was employed with Danielson Contracting from 2007 until his time of passing. David was a great outdoorsman, especially...

Virgil R. Kissel, Jr., age 87 of L'Anse, MI passed away on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 at his home with his family at his side. He was the first born to Virgil and Blanche (Schibley) Kissel in Ashland, Ohio on March 8, 1935. The family always vacationed in Northern Michigan and eventually moved to Munising, MI. Virgil graduated from Mather High School in Munising in 1953. In 1956 they moved to L'Anse where his father was service manager at L'Anse Motor Co. In 1971 Virgil along...