Obituaries

Clarence Edward Blankinship

Clarence Edward Blankinship

Mar 2, 2026

Clarence Edward Blankinship Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 2, 2026. He was born on July 19, 1936 in L'Anse, Michigan. The son of Clarence Edward Sr. and Florence (LaVack) Blankinship. Clarence married the love of his life, Mavis Ann (Grove) on February 1, 1957, and just celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Every year Clarence...

Deborah Lynn Mantta

Deborah Lynn Mantta

Aug 13, 2025

Deborah Lynn (Sleep) Mantta, age 69, of Alston, Michigan, passed away on August 13, 2025, at U.P. Health System in Marquette after a long illness.

Born in downstate Michigan, Deb moved to the Upper Peninsula as a young teenager. She worked at her parents' country store until marrying at the age of 18. She spent a decade living out west before...

Robert Keith Denomie

Robert Keith Denomie

Jul 18, 2026

Robert Keith Denomie, age 90, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by those who loved him.

Robert was born on January 5, 1936, in Baraga, Michigan, to Lawrence and Leona (LaCosse) Denomie. He attended Baraga Area Schools before proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force.

Following his military service, Robert made his home in the Milwaukee...

Diane Margaret Hedman

Diane Margaret Hedman

Jul 18, 2026

Diane Margaret Hedman, age 85, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Diane was born on September 1, 1940, in Duluth, Minnesota, to William and Ann Marie (Haarstad) Parkila. She was raised in the L'Anse area and graduated from L'Anse High School with the Class of 1958. She continued her education at Suomi College, earning her...

Philip Lynn Hurley

Philip Lynn Hurley

Jul 12, 2026

Philip Hurley, age 78 of Covington, Michigan passed away at Rolling Meadows in Covington.Jacobson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Barton Kaye Brown

Barton Kaye Brown

Jun 17, 2026

Barton Kaye Brown, age 93, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026.

Barton was born on July 17, 1932, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Charles and Muriel (Marcotte) Brown. He spent his childhood growing up in both Michigan and Illinois and graduated from Libertyville High School in Libertyville, Illinois.

Following high school, Barton proudly served his country in the United...

Oscar Larson

Oscar Larson

May 15, 2026

Oscar W. Larson, 69, known to many as "Big O," of Baraga, MI, passed away May 15, 2026 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI, surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Oscar was born December 11, 1956, in Duluth, MN, to David and Senora (Pina) Larson. Growing up in a military family, he lived in many places around the world....

June Marie Sullivan

June Marie Sullivan

May 7, 2026

June Marie (Bessett) Sullivan, age 94, of L'Anse, Michigan, passed away surrounded by love on May 7, 2026. She was born on June 8, 1931, to Herman and Vivian Bessett.

On July 22, 1948, June married the love of her life, Robert Sullivan, and together they built a life centered around faith, family, and love.

June was a woman who...

Clark Westman

Clark Westman

May 3, 2026

Clark Westman, age 86 ended his adventurous and earthly life journey on May 3, 2026. Clark was born to Oscar and Helvie (Toyras) Westman in L'Anse and graduated from L'Anse High School in 1958. He married Patricia McGinty on September 14, 1963 in Baraga, Michigan. Clark was a local iron worker and a self employed logger.

Clark is survived...

Barbara Jean (Miller) Knipp

Barbara Jean (Miller) Knipp

Apr 30, 2026

Barbara "Barb" Jean (Miller) Knipp, age 76, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2026. She was born on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Reservation in Zeba on August 27, 1949, to Henry and Susan (Asher) Miller.

Barb married Martin Curtis Sr. in 1965, and together they shared 20 years of marriage raising five beautiful children. She devoted much of her...

Gene Larry Sirard

Gene Larry Sirard

Apr 14, 2026

Gene Larry Sirard, age 67, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born on September 23, 1958, to Aldrick and Barbara (Brazeau) Sirard. Growing up, Gene experienced life in many parts of the country as his family traveled for construction work, shaping his strong work ethic and adaptable spirit.

He began his career...

Raymond Francis Vizina

Raymond Francis Vizina

Apr 4, 2026

Raymond Francis Vizina, age 90, of Baraga, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

He was born on August 8, 1935, in Baraga, Michigan, to Lawrence and Virginia (Cadeau) Vizina. Raymond lived a life rooted in hard work, faith, and devotion to family. He began his career as a logger before starting at Celotex in 1965, where he worked...

Isabella Rose Maki

Isabella Rose Maki

Mar 24, 2026

Isabella Rose Maki born on August 14, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026 watching a beautiful sunset surrounded by those who loved her most. From the moment she came into this world, Isabella radiated joy and strength. A beautiful, happy baby, she faced her medical challenges with courage and far beyond her years. Even...

Matthew Aaron DesRochers

Matthew Aaron DesRochers

Mar 22, 2026

Matthew Aaron DesRochers, age 51, of Baraga, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Matt was born on August 12, 1974, in Hancock, Michigan, the son of Paul and Carlota (Denomie) DesRochers. He graduated from Baraga High School in 1992. On November 12, 1999, he married the love of his life, Shannon Ruotsi, in Baraga....

Robinann White

Robinann White

Mar 21, 2026

Robinann White, a devoted mother, educator, and lifelong lover of learning and animals, passed away leaving behind a legacy of warmth, curiosity, and deep connection to the natural world. She was born on April 28, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, to Robert and Elizabeth (Sloan) White.

Robinann spent part of her life in Port Huron, Michigan, but her heart always belonged...

Robert Lee Hoggard

Robert Lee Hoggard

Mar 15, 2026

Robert Lee Hoggard, age 91, of L'Anse, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at his home with his loving wife by his side.

Robert was born on July 20, 1934, in Blytheville, Arkansas, the son of Clarence and Ella Francella (Faught) Hoggard. He proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Military Police officer...

Linda Jean Hutula

Linda Jean Hutula

Mar 14, 2026

Linda Jean Hutula, age 72 of Watton, MI, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at UP Health System - Marquette, after a long battle with chronic illness.

She was born October 21, 1953, in L'Anse, MI, to Roland Sr. and Kathleen (Denomme) Huhtala. Linda graduated from L'Anse High School in 1971 and attended Michigan Technological University. She married Dale Hutula...

James Alan Byykkonen

James Alan Byykkonen

Mar 5, 2026

James Alan "Jim" Byykkonen, age 68, passed away peacefully on March 5th, surrounded by his loving family at UP Health System - Marquette. He was born to Howard and Stella Byykkonen.

He held many jobs throughout the years but ended his career working at the Ojibwa Casino. He was a proud member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Jim was...

James Stanley Westrom

James Stanley Westrom

Mar 4, 2026

James "Jim" Stanley Westrom of Skanee, Michigan died on March 4, 2026 at the age of 94.

He was born on November 20, 1931 at his maternal grandparents homestead (Levion Tollefson) on Bay Shore Road in L'Anse, Michigan to parents Clara Marie Westrom (Tollefson) and Verner Theodore Westrom, both residents of Skanee, Michigan.

Jim was the oldest of...

Elizabeth Charlotte Matthews

Elizabeth Charlotte Matthews

Feb 27, 2026

Elizabeth "Chiz" Charlotte Matthews, age 87, of Zeba, Michigan, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Bayside Village in L'Anse.

She was born January 3, 1939, in Zeba, Michigan, the daughter of George and Charlotte (Blaker) Matthews. Chiz graduated from L'Anse High School in 1957 and went on to work for 18 years as a switchboard operator for the...