obituaries

Recent obituaries in Wakefield, Michigan.

The obituaries in the Wakefield area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity of Michigan's history and identity.

Margaret 'Peggy' (Kinnunen) Berg

Margaret 'Peggy' (Kinnunen) Berg

Aug 14, 2016

RAMSAY, Mich. – Margaret "Peggy" (Kinnunen) Berg, 70, of Ramsay, passed away Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. Margaret was born on July 10, 1946, in Wakefield, a daughter of Raymond Edward and Louise Eda (Rigotti) Kinnunen. She grew up in Ramsay, and attended Ramsay School and A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer. Margaret is survived by six children, Raymond Kinnunen, Deborah...

Julius B. 'Pepe' Rigotti

Julius B. 'Pepe' Rigotti

Aug 1, 2016

HURLEY, Wis. – Julius B. "Pepe" Rigotti, 90, of Hurley, formerly a long-time resident of Bessemer, Mich., passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2016, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Julius was born on July 5, 1926, in Ironwood, the son of Julius and Lena (Favero) Rigotti. He grew up in Anvil, Mich., and attended Anvil School and...

Erma I. Sgaggio

Erma I. Sgaggio

Jul 27, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Erma I. Sgaggio, 95, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, July 27, 2016. Her two sons were at her side. Erma was born on Jan. 18, 1921, in Ironwood, the daughter of Dominic and Elizabeth (Valente) Rigoni. She attended St. Ambrose High School and graduated in 1939. On Sept. 28, 1955, Erma was...

Thomas Richard 'Dick' Decota

Thomas Richard 'Dick' Decota

Jul 7, 2016

MARENISCO, Mich. – Thomas Richard "Dick" DeCota, 83, a resident of Marenisco for 35 years, formerly of Macon, Ill., and New Orleans, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, July 7, 2016. His loving wife, Joan, was at his side. Dick was born on March 24, 1933, in Decatur, Ill., a son of August Thomas and Marguerite Belle (Nanna) DeCota. He attended...

Niles Glen Sanders

Niles Glen Sanders

Jul 3, 2016

RAMSAY, Mich. – Niles Glen Sanders, 81, a lifelong resident of Ramsay, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, July 3, 2016, at his home. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family. Niles was born on March 1, 1935, in Ramsay, a son of Edward and Catherine (Cebolski) Sanders. He graduated from Ramsay School and attended A.D. Johnston High School...

Walter F. 'Wally' Maslanka

Walter F. 'Wally' Maslanka

Jul 3, 2016

BESSEMER, Mich. – Walter F. "Wally" Maslanka, 88, of Bessemer, went home to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior early Sunday morning, July 3, 2016, following a short struggle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family. Wally was born on June 30, 1928, in Bessemer, a son of Stanley and Bernice (Hlopek) Maslanka. He...

Tanya Jean Mcgeshick

Tanya Jean Mcgeshick

Jun 16, 2016

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Tanya Jean McGeshick, 47, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Watersmeet, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2016. Tayna was born on March 13, 1969, in Big Rapids, a daughter of Daniel Jr. and Judith (Aten) McGeshick. Tanya is survived by her father, Daniel Jr., Watersmeet; a son, Ethan, Marenisco; four grandchildren; a special friend, James Benedict, Grand...

Patricia Ann Cook

Patricia Ann Cook

Jun 11, 2016

BERGLAND, Mich. – Patricia Ann Cook, 75, a lifelong resident of Bergland, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, June 11, 2016. Pat was born on Aug. 22, 1940, in Bergland, the daughter of Lyle John "Johnny" and Mildred Mae (Osborne) Fruik. She attended Bergland High School and graduated in 1958. On May 11, 1963, Pat was united in marriage to...

Jack Duane Franklin

Jack Duane Franklin

Jun 9, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Jack Duane Franklin, 73, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016. Jack was born on Oct. 4, 1942, in Manistee, the son of Frank Floyd and Eileen Edessa (Pierson) Franklin. He attended Manistee High School and graduated in 1960. Jack entered the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country for three years aboard...

Roy William Reini

Roy William Reini

Jun 8, 2016

WAUKESHA, Wis. – Roy William Reini, 89, of Muskego, formerly a long-time resident of Bessemer, Mich., passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital after a period of failing health. His loving family was at his side. Roy was born on Dec. 21, 1926, in Ironwood, Mich., a son of Waldemar and Katherine (Alavarvi) Reini. He attended...

Muriel Elizabeth (Pezzetti) Vidakovich

Muriel Elizabeth (Pezzetti) Vidakovich

Jun 8, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Muriel Elizabeth (Pezzetti) Vidakovich, 90, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, June 8, 2016. Muriel was born on Dec. 2, 1925, in Wakefield, a daughter of John Joseph and Anna Elizabeth (Johnson) Pezzetti. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1943. On Oct. 25, 1946, Muriel married Nick Vidakovich in Wakefield. She...

Katherine Janet (Grimes) Nordby

Katherine Janet (Grimes) Nordby

Jun 3, 2016

BESSEMER, Mich. - Katherine Janet (Grimes) Nordby, 84, of Berwyn, Ill., passed away Friday, June 3, 2016, in Bessemer. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 9, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9 a.m., at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home in Westchester, Ill. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Ill. Local arrangements were entrusted to...

John D. "Jack" Nordberg

John D. "Jack" Nordberg

Jun 2, 2016

The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, June 9, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Marenisco Town Hall, with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Roy Speck officiating. Following the service, military rites will take place at the town hall under the auspices...

Gladys Mae Kummer

Gladys Mae Kummer

Jun 1, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Gladys Mae Kummer, 83, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, June 1, 2016. She was born on June 13, 1932, in Sagola, a daughter of Charles Horace and Delphia Mae (Beals) Plumley. On Sept. 4, 1948, Gladys married Mike Zeckovich in Bessemer. Later they divorced, and he preceded her in death on...

Donald K. Luoma

Donald K. Luoma

May 29, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Donald K. Luoma, 84, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, May 29, 2016. Don was born on April 19, 1932, in Wakefield, the son of Andrew and Aila (Rintamaki) Luoma. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1950. Don worked for Kimberly Clark in Marenisco until he enlisted in the U.S....

John A. Sawaski

John A. Sawaski

May 28, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – John A. Sawaski, 88, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away Saturday evening, May 28, 2016. John was born on May 8, 1928, in Wakefield, a son of Louis and Mary (Rydeski) Sawaski. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1945. On Sept. 4, 1954, John was united in marriage to Irene D. Lanctoe in Marenisco....

Elsie A. Pedrin

Elsie A. Pedrin

May 28, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Elsie A. Pedrin, 91, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord early Saturday morning, May 28, 2016, surrounded by her family. Elsie was born on Dec. 24, 1924, in Merrill, Wis., a daughter of August Carl and Mary Etta (Martz) Kottman. She attended school in Merrill. Elsie worked in Chicago, Merrill and at...

E. Pauline 'Polly' 'Sis' Trestrail

E. Pauline 'Polly' 'Sis' Trestrail

May 26, 2016

WHEATON, Ill. – E. Pauline "Polly" "Sis" Trestrail, 89, formerly of Wakefield, Mich., passed away Thursday, May 26, 2016, in Wheaton. Polly was born on Jan. 13, 1927, in Minneapolis, to Lola and Paul Bloom, joining her older brother Ralph. She was raised in Center City, Minn., and completed one year of college at the University of Minnesota before marrying...

Frank David Gamache

Frank David Gamache

May 26, 2016

BESSEMER, Mich. – Frank David Gamache, 84, a long-time resident of Bessemer, passed away Thursday evening, May 26, 2016. Frank was born on Jan. 26, 1932, in Bessemer Township, a son of Frank and Anna (Chovan) Gamache. He attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1949. Frank proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the...

Paul R. Oberg

Paul R. Oberg

May 16, 2016

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Paul R. Oberg, 84, of Wakefield, passed away Monday evening, May 16, 2016, at his daughter's home in Wakefield. Paul was born on Nov. 19, 1931, in Bessemer, a son of Paul Julius and Bernice Evelyn (Champagne) Oberg. He attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1949. On Sept. 9, 1952, Paul was united in marriage to...

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