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Nancy Gray (Kimber) LaFave
MARQUETTE -- Nancy Gray (Kimber) LaFave, 76, of 1624 Woodland Ave., died Thursday, March 21, 2002 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, where she had been a patient since March 11, 2002.
Nancy was born November 6, 1925 in Marquette to George and Luella (Gray) Kimber and was a life long resident. She was a graduate of Graveraet High School, attended NMU for 2 1/2 years and was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church. Prior to retiring, she worked in the admitting department at MGH for 22 years, worked as a phone operator at Illinois and Donna (Robert) Long of Marquette; a twin brother, George Kimber of Maine to the late Sadie and Harrison Wakefield. She moved to Detroit as a girl and was married there. She and her husband Arthur C. DeVries moved their family to Marquette in 1943. Grace loved her family, her church and her many friends. She will be missed by all.
She is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline (Marvin) Heitman of Marquette, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Mrs. DeVries in death were her husband Arthur on October 18, 2000, her son Donald on January 2, 2002, two brothers and six sisters.
Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 1 :00 PM Wednesday, March 27, 2002 with Reverend Ross Nicholson officiating. Visitation will begin at the church one hour prior to services. Burial will take place in Park Cemetery with Marvin Heitman, David Heitman, Brad Saari and Michael Brennan acting as pallbearers. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth James Owen
MARQUETTE -- Kenneth James Owen, 92, formerly of 917 Lee St., died Saturday, March 23, 2002 at the Brookridge Heights Assisted Living Facility, following a three year illness.
He was born October 2, 1910 in Indiana to Clifford and Ethel Owen and moved here from Whitehall, MI in 1966. Prior to retiring he owned and operated a Ford Dealership in Whitehall. He was a veteran of World War II, where he served with the U.S. Navy.
Kenneth is survived by a son Rick Owen of Marquette, a daughter Susan Owen of Grand Rapids, MI, and grandchildren Max and Sadie Owen of Marquette. His wife Janet died in October of 1999.
Memorial services will be held in Whitehall, MI at a later date. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Lydia E. Perna
REPUBLIC -- Lydia E. Perna, age 93 former Republic resident, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2002 at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, where she has resided for the past 6 years.
Lydia was born April 24, 1909 in Black River Location to the late John & Hilda (Pirttipera) Ruuska. Lydia was a homemaker and a life long area resident. She was a member of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Congregation of Black River.
Lydia is survived by 6 children: Margaret Nelson of Palmer, Raymond (Mary) Perna of Republic, Myrna (James) Heilala of Anchorage, AK, Donald (Carrie) Perna of West Halifax, VT, Melvin (Joy) Perna of Sheboygan, WI and Jeanette (Paul) Pietro of Soldotna, AK, 2 sisters Hilda Prusi of Hibbing, MN and Toini Hanninen of Black River, 2 brothers, William Ruuska of Floodwood, MN and Charles Ruuska of Ishpeming, 23 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews. Lydia was preceded in death by her 1st husband Karl "Birger" Forsberg, her second husband Walfred Perna, a son Charles Perna, a daughter Joanne Laakso, 2 grandsons Curtils Laakso and Danny Nelson, 2 brothers and 4 sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2002 at the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Congregation in Negaunee (Co. Rd. 492) with Dan Hintsala to officiate. Burial will take place in the Humboldt Twp. Cemetery.
Friends may call the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Congregation on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Arrangements are being handled by the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home.
Norman F. Roy
ISHPEMING -- Norman F. Roy. age 76, of 724 Duncan Ave., Ishpeming died at 3:55 A.M. on Sunday March 24, 2002 at Bell Memorial where he had been a patient since Tuesday, March 19th.
Norman was born May 19, 1925 in Negaunee to Delore & Emma (White) Roy, was a graduate of Negaunee St. Paul High School in 1943, and was a life long area resident. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He worked for the U.S. Government at K.I. Sawyer AFB for over 20 years, retiring as a government contract inspector in 1986. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming. He is survived by his wife, Barbara A. Roy, 2 sons; Mike Roy and Mark Roy, both of Ishpeming, 3 grandchildren; Angie, Joe & Jake Roy, 4 step sons; Lowell Anderson, Ishpeming, Gary (Sue) Anderson, Green Bay, WI, Bernard (Vikki) Anderson, Hancock, David (Elise) Anderson, Phoenix, AZ, step-daughter, Diane (Lance) Gauthier, Ishpeming, 16 step-granchildren, 3 step great- granchildren, 4 sisters; Lorraine Basolo, Gail (Howard) Davey, both of Negaunee, Betty (Walter) Wilson, Detroit, Mildred Gensheimer, Lansing, several nieces & nephews, He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Gloria (Costello), a step- daughter, Barbara Stefaniak, 2 brothers; George & Ray Roy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 Am on Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming with Rev. James Challancin officiating. Interment will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives & friends in the church hall following the service. The Koskey Funeral Home is handling the arrangments.
Pauline Katherine Pillote
MICHIGAMME -- Pauline Katherine Pillote, Michigamme, formerly of Escanaba, died Saturday, March 23, 2002 following a lengthy illness. She was 103. She was born on October 2, 1898 in Atlantic Mine, near Houghton, the daughter of Godfried & Delphine Ann (Bohr) Kenel and attended schools in the area.
She later moved to Detroit where she married Joseph Anthony Pillote on August 2, 1922 at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. She had resided in Escanaba from 1926 until 1993 when she moved to live with her children.
Mrs. Pillote was a member of St. Thomas Church and enjoyed sewing, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed her time with her family at Round Lake which was instrumental in her many long loving relationships with people. She is survived by: 4 sons, Raymond (Miriam) Pillote, Mt. Clemens, MI., Vernon (LaVerne) Pillotte, Rockford, IL., Robert (Barbara) Pilotte, Mt. Pleasant, MI., John (Ann) Pillote, Michigamme, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph on November 8, 1981; 5 brothers, and 1 sister.
The family will receive friends on Thursday at the St. Thomas Church in Escanaba, after 10:00 A.M. The Mass of Christian Burial for Pauline Pillote will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. with the Rev. Rick Courier officiating. Interment will be in the gardens of rest. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Holy Mass School. Assistance with memorials will be available at the church or the ALLO FUNERAL HOME.
Scott Peter Willman
SPREAD EAGLE -- Scott Peter Willman, 41 of Spread Eagle, Illinois, fighting liver cancer which had spread from a 15-year battle with Crohn's disease.
Scott was born August 15, 1960 in Appleton, Arizona. Scott married Janine Marie LaFave on August 29, 1980 of Little Lake, and she currently resides in Spread Eagle with their four children, Scott Jr., Ashley, Briana and Alexa.
Scott is also survived by two brothers, Eric Willman of Gwinn and Sean (Jill) Willman of Everett, WA; three sisters, Monica Willman of Marquette, Moira (James) Noetzel of Shreveport, Florida; three nephews, Anthony and Nicholas Willman of Marquette and James Noetzel Jr; one niece, Alexandra Noetzel; one grandfather, William Willman of Kingsford; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
There will be a celebration of Scott's life, in Marquette on Tuesday, March 26th and funeral services will be in Iron Mountain on Wednesday, March 27th.
The Marquette celebration will commence at 6 p.m. with a "pond hockey" game at the Berry Events Center ice rink. We are hoping to see all of Scott's friends and their families enjoy a game of pond hockey with us to celebrate Scott's life. Please bring either boots or skates. Extra childrens skates and hockey sticks will be available. We are hoping on one will be exluded - just show up and have a good time. Following the game there will be a get together at the West Donors Room in the Lakeview Arena from 7 to 10 p.m. Food and refreshements will be available. Please bring any hockey- related pictures, programs, or articles that included Scott.
The Iron Mountain service will commence at 5 p.m. with visitation, followed by a service starting at 7:30 p.m. The service will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1210 South Kimberly Avenue.
Florence B. Altobello
KINGSFORD, MI -- Florence B. Altobello, age 92 of 1820 Evergreen Ave., Kingsford & longtime Ishpeming resident passed away Monday, March 25, 2002 at Dickinson Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon Monday, April 1, 2002 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Monsignor Peter Oberto officiating.
Friends may call St. John Evangelist Catholic Church on Monday, April 1, 2002 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Arrangements are being handled by the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home of Ishpeming.
Merle Virginia ("Ginger") Gummerson-Shelp
DETROIT- Merle Virginia ("Ginger") Gummerson-Shelp passed away on March 24, 2002.
She was born on December 8, 1907 in Ishpeming.
She was the dearest mother of Georgeann (Barden), James (Margie), Dorinda (Louis) Winkler, Robert and Richard; beloved grandmother of 24; loving great grandmother of 34; and ecstatic great great grandmother of 3. She was a previous Senior Regent of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Moose Lodge in Rockwood, Michigan) and to heaven she returned. The family will appreciate remembrances made in her name, Merle Virginia ("Ginger") Shelp, to: Moose Charity Endowment Fund, Route 31, Mooseheart, NC -- Hazel Elson Larson, age 83, died Saturday, March 23, 2002, at Hillcrest Convalescent Center in Durham, Michigan, and an elementary schoolteacher in Montgomery County, Maryland for thirty years. Born September 7, 1918, Hazel was the daughter of Walfrid Elson and Elma Kauppila. Hazel graduated from Ishpeming High School and Northern Michigan, and earned a masters degree in education from the University of Maryland.
She was the wife of the late Raymond D. Larson, also of Ishpeming, NC, ad David G. Larson of Vienna, Virginia; and by her five grandchildren; Anna Larson of Louisville, NC; and Lincoln, Claire and Wren Larson of Durham. A memorial family service was held on Sunday, March 24.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to support the library collection at Durham School of the Arts, Media Center, 400 N. Duke St., Durham, N.C. 27701.
Rev. Herbert M. Ingraham
MUNSING -- Rev. Herbert M. Ingraham, age 85, of E9322 Shannon Drive, Munising, died on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 at 4:11a.m. at Marquette General Hospital from complications following surgery last Tuesday. He was born on March 15, 1917 in Batavia, New Hampshire. He was the Pastor in Charge at the Lake Avenue Methodist Church in Ashtabula, Ohio. In 1947, he was the Pastor in Charge at the Church Hill and Coalburg Methodist Churches in Michigan University. He earned his M.A. in 1961 and was a graduate of the first Masters Class at NMU. He continued teaching at Mather until 1964, when he became the Associate professor of French, English, and Humanities at Manchester College in North Manchester, California and Stephen (Becky) Ingraham of Denver, Colorado, and one grandson - Jonathon Earl Ingraham of Denver.
Friends may call at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00. For those wishing to sing in an interfaith choir, please gather at Sacred Heart Church at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday for choir practice that will be part of the funeral liturgy. James A. Kelsey, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Wisconsin, died peacefully on March 27, 2002 at her home.
She was born September 15, 1938 in Lake Linden, Michigan. Throughout her life she lived in Marquette, Minnesota and Manitowoc, Michigan, Kelly Nelson and Elgin Minnesota and Amy Anderson and husband Todd of St. Cloud, Michigan and brother Jay Dupuis of Osceola, Florida died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 6, 2002 at his home. Born and raised in Levering, Michigan Community College in Petoskey, Gardner and Deborah K. Becker (husband Rex), brothers Albert (wife Lorraine) and Jerry (wife Lynn), 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Donations may be directed to the Edward Cadwell Education Fund, established by his children in their father's memory, at Pellston Public Schools, Pellston, Florida.
In addition to her parents, Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Austin Bowers II in 1995; and by a step-daughter, Priscilla Graham.
Graveside services will be held in the spring at the Powell Township Cemetery in Big Bay and will be announced. There will be no public visitation.
The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family.
Gordon J. "Brick" Williams
ISHPEMING - Gordon J. "Brick" Williams, age 78, of 206 E. North St., Ishpeming, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2002 at the Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming.
Gordon was born June 19, 1923 in Ishpeming to the late John and Mildred (Nylander) Williams. He attended the Ishpeming Public Schools and served in the United States Army during World War II. Gordon owned and operated Gordy's TV Repair Shopf for many years in Ishpeming, retiring in the early 1980's. His hobbies included playing the clarinet, listening to Big Band music and playing golf. Gordon was also an avid sports fan, especially of the Green Bay Packers.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Dolores Williams of Ishpeming; 3 daughters, Joan (Clay) Miller of Burnsville, MN, Debbie Richardson of Ishpeming and Cathy (Joe) Carriere of Ishpeming; 6 sons, Larry (Marty) Williams of Duncanville, Washington, DC, Robert (Gracey) Williams of Monroe, MI, Donald (Jacque) Williams of Chandler, AZ, James (Cindy) Williams of Iron River, MI and Daryl Williams of Ishpeming; 4 sisters, June Valenti and Grace Lahti, both of Negaunee, Shirley (Chinney) Mosca of Saginaw and Barbara (Francis) Harris of Ishpeming; a brother, Donald Williams of Ishpeming; 16 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Charlotte Kemp, Alice Williams and Marie Williams; and 2 brothers, John and Robert Williams.
A private memorial service will be held at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home on Monday, April 1, 2002 with the Rev. Douglas Dirks to officiate. Inurnment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery Columbarium.
