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Jon "Rob" Labby
GRESHAM, WI -- Filmmaker, musician. theater owner and former Marquette resident, Jon Labby, 50, passed away peacefully at his home in Gresham, Michigan University.
A multi-talented artist and musician, Rob had two main passions in life: movies and music. Rob began his filmmaking career while still in grade school, producing and directing numerous 8mm thrillers that he would show to his friends in his basement. He later moved his film enterprise to his garage, which he upgraded over the years from a 16mm silent projection system to a full blown 35mm Cinemascope theater with an attached editing studio and film vault. Know simply as "The Garage" the facility also housed a recording studio that Rob grew from a simple two-track recording facility into a 24-track professional studio used by musicians and production companies from throughout the Upper Peninsula.
Rob supported his filmmaking habit by working at local movie theaters for many years. Starting as an usher in early teens, Rob advanced himself to head projectionists/ chief technician at the Delft and Nordic Theaters in Marquette. He later worked as a consultant to theaters throughout the Midwest, designing and installing state-of-the-art sound and projection systems. The couple later moved to Wisconsin killer whose crimes inspired Alfred Hitchcock's fictional film classic, Psycho. In the 1990s, he worked as director of cinematography on a feature film, a crime drama set in Detroit, produced by a German concern.
Rob's musical career was equally diverse. A drummer for numerous local rock bands in the 1960s, Rob picked up the guitar for the notorious proto-punk band known as The Ski-Doos. A promoter as well as a musician, Rob was the main instigator behind Beerstock, a series of underground music festivals held each summer in the Upper Peninsula in the 1970s. The final Beerstocks, held in 1980 and 1981 at the Champion, Mich., fairgrounds, were the only legitimate festivals in the series. It features numerous bands and raised more than ten thousand dollars for a local charity.
At his Grove Street garage/ studio Rob produced recordings for numerous local acts. In 1985, he co-wrote and co-produced "We Go Green Bay", a rollicking polka novelty tune about an Upper Peninsula couple's trip to the big city. Recorded by Bill Etten and the Heritage Band, the song received airplay throughout Upper Wisconsin and was even played several times by radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as around the country. Sony Music eventually licensed "We Go Green Bay" for use as the lead cut on an Green Bay Packers commemorative CD.
Rob was known and loved for his immense creativity, his absurd sense of humor, his unfailing generousity and his encyclopedic knowledge of history, film and music. Whether he was plowing snow in his pickup truck or discussing the camera techniques of his favorite Hollywood directors, Rob lived life with gusto. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him and those who wish they had.
A memorial service for Jon R. Rockin, Rob Labby will be held in Marquette at a later date. Details will be announced in comming weeks.
Arne Erick Piirainen
SHAFTSBURG, MI -- Arne Erick Piirainen of Shaftsburg, formerly of Lansing was born on July 28, 1937 to Arne & Florence (Haataja) Piirainen in Paavola, Michigan or The Mission Endowment Fund of St. Stephen Lutheran Church.
Helen R. Delongchamp
SULLIVAN, MO -- Helen R. Delongchamp, age 72, former Ishpeming resident passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2001 in Sullivan, Michigan & Michigan Tech, and also for the Superior Block Co. in Houghton.
He was a veteran having served with the United States Army.
Surviving are: 1 Sister; Mrs. Eleanor (Bob) Jutila of Newberry, 1 Brother; Niilo Moilanen of Hancock, 1 Nephew; Terry (Rita) Jutila of Marquette, 2 Great Nieces.
Funeral services will be held Monday, September 17, 2001, at 1 P.M. in the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Chassell with Rev. Michael Laakko to officiate. Burial to be in the Elo Cemetery.
Friends may call on Monday from 12 Noon until time of services at the funeral home.
Ronald J. Oljymaki
MIDWAY LOCATION -- Ronald J. Oljymaki, age 80, a former Midway Location, Richmond Township resident died at 3:45 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facilty where he had been a patient for 2 years.
Ronald was born May 22, 1921 in Gwinn to John & Fannie (Peltonen) Oljymaki, attended the Gwinn Schools & was a life long area resident. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He worked for CCI for over 36 years, retiring in 1983 from the Empire Mine.
Mr. Oljymaki was a member of the V.A. Romo Post V.F.W. #3165, Negaunee, the Charlie Lakes Campers Association, was a former member of the Negaunee Eagles Club and the Negaunee Rod & Gun Club. He loved feeding & watching birds, loved animals and had many pet dogs over the years, and greatly enjoyed his camp at Charlie Lakes.
Surviving ar 3 nieces; Sharon (Jim) Skewis, Negaunee, Karen (Bill) Pepin, Ishpeming, Janet (Michael) Skytta, Marquette, 2 nephews; Ronald Salmer, Negaunee, Dennis (Cheryl) Salmer, Ishpeming, several cousins, great nieces & great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister & brother-in-law, Dorothy & Clarence Salmer.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 at the Koskey Funeral Home. Rev. David L. Echelbarger will officiate. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. Friends may call at the Koskey Funeral Home from 12:00 Noon until the time of services at 1:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 28.
Charles T. Devonshire
MARQUETTE -- Charles T. Devonshire, 88, of 222 S. Fifth St., died Friday, September 14, 2001 in the Norlite Nursing Center.
He was born September 3, 1913 in Duluth, Oklahoma City, OK and Jill Revord of Clinton Twp., MI; three sons, Walter of Michigan to the late George and Elmira (St. Martin) McCollum. Mark was raised in AuTrain and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1978. He worked for Roger's Insulation and he tree planted for Evergreen Forestry for three years. Mark worked as an aide and bus driver for the children of Marquette Alger Intermediate School District. He then went to Northern Washington Street, Munising, died on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 8:00pm at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. Louise was born on January 1, 1916 in Slapneck, Michigan 4-H Council for many years. EmmaJean loved her grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.
She is survived by a son, Harold "Butch" (Brenda) Lustila, Jr., of Germfask; two brothers, Clayton (Peggy) Barton of Grassy Key, Fl and Don Barton of Moore Haven, FL; four grandchildren; four great granchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Campbell; a son Roger Lustila and three brothers; Howard, Albin "Bud" and Dale Barton.
Visitation will be at the Messier-Broullire Funeral Home in Manistique from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Monday, September 17, 2001. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 18, 2001 with Reverend David Hueter officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery at Germfask.
J. Donovan Jackson
Dr. J. Donovan Jackson, 83, of 1530 W. Ridge Street, Marquette, died Saturday, September 15,2001 at his home.
Dr. Jackson was born on July 10,1918 at Early, Iowa. He held a Ph.D. from Washington, D.C. during which time he helped organize the first U.S. Navy dance band.
His music career included playing with the Benny Goodman Band, the Jimmy Dorsey Band as well as the U.S. Navy Band. At one time he maintained his own band for several years in the East Lansing and Grand Rapids areas.
Dr. Jackson previously taught at Michigan University on June 30, 1979 as a professor of business and Dean of Continuing Education. When he first arrived at NMU, he served as the director of the Jobs Corps. While in the Department of Continuing Education, he established the D.J. Jacobetti Skills Center as well as the Women's Center. After his retirement, he helped establish the NMU Retirees Association and served as its charter president in 1985-1986.
Don was a member for many years of the Marquette Noon Kiwanis Club and held offices of club president, Governor of the Michigan District and served on the executive board of Kiwanis International.
He served as a former chairman of the United Way Fund Drive and was a long time board member of both the United Way and the Salvation Army. He was a member of the NMU Golden Wildcat Club and the Blue Line Club where he was an avid NMU hockey fan and proud grandfather of Jimmy Jackson who currently plays for the Wildcat hockey team. He was formerly active in Marquette youth baseball as both a coach and mentor. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Marquette and was a long time member of the Marquette Golf and Country Club. He received the Washington, D.C.; two sons, Jim (Anne) Jackson and John B. Jackson, both of Marquette; five grandchildren, Scott Jackson, Chris (Shannon) Jackson, Jimmy Jackson, Stina Jackson and Kristian Jackson; two great grandchildren, Tyler and Ryleigh Jackson; one brother, Dale (Ellen) Jackson and a sister, Ardyce Westegaard, both of Whiting, IA; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 19 at First
United Methodist Church in Marquette at 5:30 p.m. with the Rev. Stephen E. Rhoades officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the church from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. until the time of services. A graveside service will take place at noon on Thursday at the Park Cemetery. Kiwanis members Walter J. Norris, Ronald R. Perkins, Alfred A. Camilli, Richard A. Peura, Jerry R. Irby, Steven Thompson, Wesley Wentela, and Gov. John W. Winneroski will serve as escorts. Other members of Marquette Noon Kiwanis Club will serve as honorary escorts.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to a scholarship fund to be established in Don Jackson's memory at Northern Michigan University or to the Salvation Army, 1009 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855.
