obituaries

Jul 13, 2019

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Sharon E. (Johnson) Rickard, 76, of Wakefield, formerly of Eagle River and Stevens Point, Wis., passed away on July 13, 2019, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

Sharon was born Oct. 15, 1942, in Ironwood, the daughter of the late Carl Oscar and Myrtle Marie (Erickson) Johnson. She graduated from A.D. Johnston High...

Jul 10, 2019

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Sarah "Smily" Smiljanich, 94, of Wakefield, died surrounded by her loving sons on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

The former Sarah Batinich was born on June 14, 1925, in Verona, a daughter of Bogdan and Anna (Dukich) Batinich. She was the youngest of seven children.

Sarah attended Verona School and graduated in 1943...

Jul 3, 2019

BESSEMER, Mich. – Jon "Jack" R. Lindquist, 84, a longtime resident of Bessemer, completed his earthly journey on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Jack was born on April 28, 1935, in Ironwood, the son of John and Minnie (Kleimola) Lindquist. He attended school in Bessemer, graduating from A.D. Johnston High School in June 1953. Jack continued his education...

Jul 3, 2019

BESSEMER, Mich. – Mary A. Anderson, 94, a longtime resident of Bessemer, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Mary was born on April 7, 1925, in Bessemer, a daughter of John and Margaret (Rajkovich) Gerovac. She attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1943. Following graduation, Mary went to Detroit and worked at...

Jun 30, 2019

IRON BELT, Wis. – Franklin G. DuCharme, 86, a longtime resident of Iron Belt, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2019.

Franklin was born on April 11, 1933, in Saxon, a son of Arthur and Anna (Ylitalo) DuCharme. He attended Saxon High School and graduated in 1952.

Franklin proudly served his country in the...

Jun 28, 2019

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Gregory W. Hill Sr., "Bull of The Woods", 72, a longtime resident of Ironwood Township, died Friday, June 28, 2019, surrounded by loved ones at his side.

Gregory was born July 11, 1946, in Laurium, a son of Leonard and Ellen (Lassala) Hill. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer.

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Jun 24, 2019

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Joseph Martin Ricca, 65, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away Monday, June 24, 2019.

Joseph was born on March 20, 1954, in Wakefield, the son of Gust Martin and Dorothy Marie (Delvis) Ricca.

He enjoyed bicycling, working outdoors and his pets.

Joseph is survived by two sisters, Catherine (Richard)...

Jun 24, 2019

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Donald P. Grenda, 89, long-time resident of Ironwood, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019.

Don was born on May 24, 1930, in Ironwood, son of the late Peter and Josephine (Kropko) Grenda.

He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1948. He attended Gogebic Community College before enlisting in the...

Jun 23, 2019

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Lempi Marie Rouse, 94, a lifelong resident of Ironwood Township, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, with her loving family at her side.

Marie was born to the late Henry and Hanna (Mesimaki) Kinnunen on Jan. 6, 1925. She attended Roosevelt School in Ironwood Township.

On June...

Jun 22, 2019

KELSO, Wash. – Roy K. Hill, 88, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019, in Kelso, Wash.

Roy was born on Dec. 17, 1930, in Wakefield, Mich., a son of Theodore and Vienna (Nurmikko) Hill. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1948.

Roy proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from March...

Jun 21, 2019

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Gerald D.W. Olson, 83, a lifelong resident of Ironwood Township, passed away peacefully Friday, June 21, 2019.

Gerald was born on Nov. 8, 1935, in Ironwood, a son of Frank and Maymie (Greku) Olson. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1953. During his teen years, he loved going to...

Jun 20, 2019

WAUSAU, Wis. - William J. Sikonia, 62, a former resident of Erwin Township, Mich., passed away Thursday evening, June 20, 2019, under the hospice care of the Mount View Care Center in Wausau with family and friends at his side.

The family is honoring Bill's life with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26,...

Jun 16, 2019

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Gary D. Johnson, 78, a longtime resident of Ironwood, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2019.

Gary was born on Sept. 20, 1940, in Painesdale, a son of Hugo and Martha (Maki) Johnson. He attended Luther L. Wright High School and graduated in 1958.

Gary proudly served his country in the U.S. Army...

Jun 13, 2019

BESSEMER, Mich. – Marvin E. Kangas, 91, a longtime resident of Bessemer, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 13, 2019, with his dear family by his side.

Marvin was born on June 8, 1928, in Ironwood Township, a son of Gust E. and Lillian (Manninen) Kangas. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood.

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Jun 10, 2019

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Maxin G. LaMaide Sr., 91, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away Monday, June 10, 2019.

He was born on Dec. 21, 1927, in Mellen, Wis., a son of George James and Helen (Vitek) LaMaide.

Maxin proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged...

Jun 7, 2019

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Debra Kay LaVerdure, 64, a lifelong resident of Ironwood, passed away Friday, June 7, 2019.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield.

Jun 3, 2019

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – John E. Tarro, 90, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Monday, June 3, 2019, with his dear family by his side.

John was born on Jan. 1, 1929, in Wakefield, a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Bugni) Tarro. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1946.

John...

Jun 3, 2019

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Helvia Irene Maki, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019, at the age of 103.

Helvia was born on May 1, 1916, in Wakefield, a daughter of Jack Ludwig and Aurora Amelia (Vatajakoski) Nirva, who were both born in Kauhajoki, Finland. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1934....

Jun 1, 2019

Doris Carol Lindberg, 86, of Bruce's Crossing went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 1, 2019, with her loving family at Westgate in Ironwood.

Doris was born on March 23, 1933, daughter of the late Onnie and Toini Mattson both deceased. United in marriage to Robert Norman Juopperi (deceased) and remarried Reino Lindberg (deceased)...

May 29, 2019

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Wallace Z. Golembeski, 83, of Wakefield, formerly a long-time resident of Bessemer, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019, with his loving family by his side, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Wally was born on Aug. 6, 1935, in Wakefield, a son of Charles and Victoria (Langa) Golembeski. He attended Wakefield schools.

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