Donald Drake
MARQUETTE -- Donald P. Drake, 77, of Marquette, died Thursday morning, April 12, 2001 at Marquette General Hospital where he had been a patient for a day.
Mr. Drake was born September 6, 1923 in Imperial Heights, Michigan to the late William and Marie (St. Onge) Drake. On July 4, 1944, he married the former Frances Zinski at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.
He served with the United States Army during World War II attaining the rank of Sergeant. During the time of his service he received the Purple Heart award as well as two Bronze Stars.
Don was formerly employed with the Duluth South Shore and Atlantic Railroad as a blacksmith for many years. He later worked with the Grove and the Hennes Construction Companies as an operating engineer.
He was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church, Local 324, Operating Engineers, the VFW, American Legion Post #44, and Marquette Council #689, Knights of Columbus.
Don enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years and he also loved to hunt.
Survivors include his wife, Frances of Marquette; two daughters, Gail (Tom) Jasionowski of Centreville, VA and Donna Francek of Appleton, WI; four grandchildren, Angela Cook, Timothy Jasionowski, Brandi Jasionowski and Christopher Francek; five great grandchildren, Michael and Derek Nelson, Brittany and Jamie Cook and Mason John Francek; three sisters, Helen Brotherton of Negaunee, Alva Olson of Marquette and Elizabeth Krause of Gresham, WI; also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents were two brothers, Albert and Robert (Lempi) Drake; also a son-in-law, John Francek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 16 at 11 a.m. in St. Christopher Catholic Church with the Rev. Alex Sample officiating. Interment will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the mass.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Frances Marie Ittner
TRAVERSE CITY -- Frances Marie Ittner, 86, of Traverse City, Michigan, formerly of Eben, Michigan, died Thursday, April 12, 2001 at the Tendercare Nursing Home in Traverse City where she had been a patient for a day.
Mrs. Ittner was born October 17, 1914 at Eben Junction to the late Jacob and Amelia (Kamppinen) Hakkola. She was a 1933 graduate of Eben High School and a 1938 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. She then worked at the University of Michigan Hosipitals until 1943 when she married Dr. Martin Ittner at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
She and her husband lived most of their life in Midland, Michigan where Martin practiced medicine. They retired to Traverse City in 1985 and spent the winters in the southern United States.
Frances enjoyed traveling, cooking, gardening and homemaker hobbies. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Martin J. Ittner; five children, Kathy (Fred) Maynard of Marquette, Tom Ittner of Traverse City, MI. Jim (Marian) Ittner of Breckenridge, CO, Eric Ittner of Marquette and Maria (Kurt) Pregitzer of Houghton Lake, MI; two sisters, Esther Himes of Marquette and Eva Roberts of Savannah, GA; three brothers, Arvo (Virginia) Hakkola, Donald (Marie) Hakkola and Eino Hakkola, all of Eben, MI; also surviving are ten grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, John, Wally, Paul and Willie Hakkola; also a sister, Elsie Hallinen.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 12 noon from Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette with Rev. Nancy I. Amacher and Rev. Timothy Bernard officiating. Interment will take place in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Tuesday.
A memorial service will also be held on Friday, April 20, 2001 at 11 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Traverse City.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider the Hospice of Savannah, Georgia, P.O. 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Marie Elizabeth Lowe
EAST LANSING, MI -- Marie Elizabeth Lowe, age 78, passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2001. She was born on February 12, 1923 in Marquette, MI, the daughter of Harold and Patricia (McGann) Contway. She was a graduate of Baraga High School in Marquette. Marie was devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and a member of the Nature Conservancy, the Audubon Society and the National Wildlife Federation. She cherished the outdoors and supported the conservation ethic, she traveled throughout the world, bird watching with her husband, Ken. Marie belonged to three golf leagues and two bridge groups and was a volunteer with the American Cancer Society in Marquette, and the Election Board in East Lansing. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, where she assisted with funeral luncheons.
She was preceded in death by: husband, Kenneth S. Lowe; son, Stephen R. Lowe; and sister Irene Contway. She is survived by: sons, Scott of Traverse City and Stuart (Shelley) Lowe of Okemos; sister, Helen Hlauacek; and grandchildren, Stephen Lowe, Allison Lowe, Sarah Lowe and Shannon Lowe.
A funeral liturgy will be held at St. Johns Student Parish, at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2001. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 17, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nature Conservancy, 2840 E. Grand River, #5, East Lansing, MI 48823.
Michael LaCombe
MARQUETTE -- Michael C. LaCombe, 56, of 2243 Moran Street, Marquette, died Thursday afternoon, April 12, 2001 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mr. LaCombe was born April 4, 1945 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was a 1963 graduate of Graveraet High School in Marquette and later served with the Army National Guard for six years. Mike spent most of his life working in auto sales for several dealerships.
He is survived by his wife, Denisa K. LaCombe whom he married on July 30, 1994 at Mackinac Island; one son, Anthony LaCombe and his fianceé, Corrie Richard of Marquette; two granddaughters, Ashley Anne and Jessica Kaye LaCombe; his parents, Fred and Ione (Hill) LaCombe of Marquette; one brother, Peter LaCombe of Marquette; two sisters, Barbara (Mark) LaCombe of Marquette and Jane (Richard) Swedish of Ft. Myers, FL; nieces and nephews, Natalie, Andrew, Trevor, Eva, Eden, Shelly and Jeffrey; great niece, Ellie, as well as several other nieces and nephews; his father-in-law, Bill (Norma) McGranahan of Ashland, KY; mother-in-law Deanna McGranahan of Ashland, KY; five sisters-in-law, Devona (Darrin) Thomas, Donita (Jim) Dinkens, Donna Bowman, Billie McGranahan and Delinda (Steven) Stapleton, all of Ashland, KY; also one brother-in-law, Cleveland M. (Toy) McGranahan of Maysville, KY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 7 p.m. in St. Peter Cathedral with Rev. Msgr. Louis C. Cappo officiating. Interment will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call in the Bishop's Room of the Cathedral from 5 p.m. until the time of the mass on Monday.
Pallbearers will be Anthony, Peter, Jeffrey and Mark LaCombe, Stephen Hicks, Bill and Marty McGranahan and Gerald Perry.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Ishpeming Cancer Society of Marquette County, RRI, Box 111, Ishpeming, MI 49849.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Mildred E. Stone
ISHPEMING -- Mildred E. Stone, age 100, of 104 Malton Rd. Negaunee died Friday, April 13, 2001 at the Woodland Assisted Living Home.
Mildred was born March 11, 1901 in Ishpeming to the late Victor and Hannah (Goethe) Carlson and was a lifelong resident. She was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1919. She married the late Lloyd Stone on December 5, 1930. Mildred worked as a seamstress at the H. W. Gossard Co. in Ishpeming until her retirement in 1966.
Mildred was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, where she had been active with various church circles through the years. She was also active with the Ishpeming Senior Citizens Center and the Gossard Retirees Club.
She was the loving Mother of two daughters- Jean (Edward) Johns of Ishpeming and Marilyn Dorsey of Elgin, IL; 6 grandchildren- Karen Johns and her husband Peter Jorgensen of San Marcos, CA, Alan (Janine) Johns of Ishpeming, Kathryn (Michael) Harrington of Ishpeming, Kevin (Maureen) Dorsey of Arlington Heights, IL Tim (Jean) Dorsey of Carey, IL and Pamela Dorsey of Arlington Heights, IL; six great grandchildren- Joelle & Katie Johns, Mindy & Kara Harrington and Kyle & Bridget Dorsey along with several nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd and four brothers- John, Albert, George and Theodore Carlson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 16, 2001 at the Bethany Lutheran Church with the Rev. Virginia Eggert to officiate. Burial will be in the Ishpeming Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Bethany Lutheran Church from 9:30 AM until the time of services on Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the U.P. Home Health and Hospice at 829 Croix St., Negaunee, MI 49866 or the Bethany Lutheran Church Memorial Fund at 715 Mather Ave., Ishpeming, MI 49849
Paul "Putsa" A. Hanson
ISHPEMING -- Paul "Putsa" A. Hanson, age 81, of 413 W. Empire St. Ishpeming passed away, Thursday, April 12, 2001 at the Mather Nursing Center where he has resided for the past month.
Paul was born November 29, 1919 in Ishpeming to the late Charles A. & Hilma (Olson) Hanson. He was a life long area resident, except for time he spent serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Paul worked at Cliffs Shaft, and the Mather B Mine as an underground miner and later worked as a groundskeeper at Central Services for the C.C.I. Mining Co. where he retired from in 1989 after 43 years. Paul enjoyed gardening, fishing & hunting and played in local bowling leagues.
Paul is survived by a nephew, Chauncey (Sharon) Hanson of Ishpeming, a great nephew, Joseph, P. Hanson of Manhattan, NY, great niece Milissa (Rob) Bergman of Green Bay, and their children Lyndsey & Hailey, and a sister in law Grace Hanson of Ishpeming. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, an infant twin brother John, his brothers George & Elmer "Chauncey" Hanson and a sister Amilia Hanson.
Funeral services will be held 6:00 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2001 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Burial will be in the Ishpeming Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home on Monday, 4:00 p.m. until time of service.
Julie A. Johnston
NEGAUNEE -- Julie A. Johnston, 56, of 260 Healy Ave., Negaunee, died at 3:55 AM on Friday, April 13, 2001 at Marquette General Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Julie was born Sept. 10, 1944 in Ishpeming to Elmer & Elsie (Tuomi) Williamson, attended Ishpeming High School and was a life long area resident. She attended Mitchell United Methodist Church, Negaunee and was an active member & volunteer at the Negaunee Eagles Club.
Surviving are 3 sons; Kevin Gentry, Negaunee, Timothy Gentry of California, and David Gentry of Santa Barbara, CA, 2 daughters; Kelly Gentry, Negaunee, Krystal Gentry, Albuquerque, NM, 1 sister, Connie (Russell) Williams, Suomi Location, 4 grandchildren; Brandon & Aaron Gentry, LaShaun Welch, & Kyra Gentry, several nieces, nephews & cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jack Williamson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday at Mitchell United Methodist Church, Negaunee with Rev. Scott Harmon officiating. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 11:00 AM until the time of services at 1:00 PM Tuesday.
The Koskey Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Prudence (Arndt) Reiter
KEENE, NH -- Prudence (Arndt) Reiter, 100, mother of Pastor Gerald Reiter of Christ Lutheran Church in Troy, NH, who resided at 136 1/2 Arch Street, Keene, NH, died at Langdon Place following a period of failing health.
She was born in Hilliards, Columbus Ohio, March 26, 1901, the daughter of John and Oretta (Fenner) Arndt, and had resided in Morley, MI, Minneapolis, Minn., Madison, WI, Whiting, Ind., Chicago, Marquette, MI, prior to moving to Troy, NH in 1994. She has lived in Keene, NH since 1999.
Mrs. Reiter was a very active member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette, Michigan where she had taught Sunday School and served on numerous church boards and committees. She enjoyed taking part in bible studies and was an avid gardner.
She is the widow of Alfred Reiter, who died in 1992 and to whom she was married for 66 years.
Survivors include; two sons, the Reverand Gerald Reiter of Troy, NH and Richard Reiter of Scotia, NY, five grandchidlren, 11 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Services for Mrs. Reiter will be held Wednesday morning at 10 from the Christ Lutheran Church in Troy, NH. Friends are invited. Calling hours will be held Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 at the Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH. Burial will take place in Marquette, Michigan later in the Spring.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers, that gifts be made in memory of Mrs. Reiter to the Christ Lutheran Church Handicap Elevator Project, 94 South Main Street, P.O. Box 189, Troy, NH.
Gordon J. Irwin
MARQUETTE -- Gordon J. Irwin, 60, of 2218 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, entered eternal life Sunday afternoon, April 15, 2001, in the care and comfort of his family and Lake Superior Hospice.
He was born October 20, 1940 in Green Bay, WI, a son of the late Gordon S. and Violet (Parker) Irwin, was raised in Marquette, attended the Marquette schools, and was a Marquette resident for most of his life.
Gordon was employed as an Insulator for Local 19 & 127 International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers for over 32 years. During his career, he worked all over the country and locally for the past few years, retiring in May 2000 due to ill health.
Gordon enjoyed his family, especially hosting family picnics at his home, was an avid golfer, took great pleasure in refinishing furniture, working crossword puzzles, and in his earlier years loved to fish and hunt. He was also a collector of 1:18" scale cars and Avon steins. He was a member of Marquette Elks Lodge #405 B.P.O.E. for 26 years, Marquette Moose Lodge # 1059 for 16 years, and was a honorary member of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers.
A devoted and loving husband, father, proud grandparent, and brother, he is survived by: his wife, Janet L. (Bellmore) Jarvinen Irwin, whom he married June 14, 1991 in Marquette; a daughter, Kristine (special friend, Gary (DePetro) Irwin of Ishpeming; two sons, Kenneth (Michelle) Irwin of Champion and Michael Irwin of Fremont, OH; step-daughter, Tracy Jarvinen of Marquette; step-son Daryl (Debbie) Jarvinen of Marquette; his grandchildren, Brandi Irwin, Nathan Irwin, Andrea Irwin, Karen Nunley, Brandon Jarvinen, Lauren Jarvinen, Greg Retaskie, Laura Jarvinen and Daryl Jarvinen; great-grandson, Donovan Irwin; seven sisters, Ruth (Donald) Duquette of Marquette, Dorothy (James) Duncan of Tucson, AZ, Judy (Tom) Kowalski of Joliet, IL, Dawn (Sam) Wymer of Muskegon, and Sharlene "Shy" Kuhn, Kay Irwin, and Mary Irwin all of Marquette; a brother, Keith Irwin of Marquette; brothers-in-law, Bernard LaFond of Ishpeming, Howard (Betty) Bellmore of Negaunee, Edward (Nancy) Bellmore of Kenosha, WI, and David (Debbie) Bellmore of Sherwood, WI; sisters-in-law, Chris (Marvin) Koski of Republic and Sandy Bellmore of Marquette; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special coffee buddies at the Big Boy Restaurant and the Big Boy staff. In addition to his parents, Gordon was preceded in death by a step-son, Gary Jarvinen; a sister, Juanita LaFond, and a brother-in-law, Richard Bellmore.
Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 17, from 4 to 7 pm, where the Marquette Elks Lodge will conduct their memorial ritual at 6 pm. Funeral services will be held at 7 pm Tuesday evening in the funeral home with Rev. J. Robert Nelson officiating. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Neil (Buster) Alexander, Randy, Tim, and Brian Black.
Memorials may be directed to Lake Superior Hospice Association, 1414 W. Fair Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.
Ernest Anderson
MARQUETTE -- Ernest A. Anderson, age 74, of 6413 US 41 South died Monday morning April 16, 2001 in the Mather Nursing Center where he had been a resident since April 12th. He was born on March 3, 1927 in Marquette to the late Axel and Hilda (Nyman) Anderson.
He was a WWII Navy veteran. Prior to his retirement he was employed by Lake Shore Inc.
He was preceded in death by his wife Delores in 1976 and three brothers John, Edward, and Carl Anderson.
Ernest is survived by three daughters, Patti Jo Kelley, Toni Anderson, and Lynn Anderson all of Marquette. A grandson Michael Kelley. A sister Evelyn (Austin) Baij of Munising and two brothers Herbert and William both of Marquette.
Funeral services will be held 7:30 P.M. Tuesday evening April 17, 2001 in the Swanson- Lundquist Funeral Home with Reverend Nancy Amacher officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4:00 P.M. until time of services this evening. Burial will take place in the Skandia Lutheran Cemetery.
Kenneth W. Pelkie
NEGAUNEE -- Kenneth W. Pelkie, 68, of 617 Croix St. Negaunee died at 6:38 AM on Monday, April 16, 2001 at his home following a lengthy illness.
Kenneth was born Jan. 27, 1933 in Gwinn to Aaron & Aunie (Hakkala) Pelkie, was a graduate of Gwinn High School and Northern Michian University. He was a lifelong area resident. He worked for the State of Michigan Department of Treasury as an auditor, retiring in 1995 with 41 years of service.
Mr. Pelkie was a member of the Church of Our Saviour, Negaunee Township, was a former member of the Ishpeming Lions Club, and was an avid bowler, golfer, deer hunter, and University of Michigan Football fan.
Surviving are one son, Don Pelkie, Negaunee, 5 daughters; Judith (Randy) Larson, Gillette, WY, Peggy (Kurt) Grimm, Auburn, IN, Deborah (Jerry) Napier, Marquette, Teresa (John) Kauppila, Marquette, Mary Beth Davis, Raleigh, NC, 7 grandchildren: Gabriel Larson, Keith, Neal & Leann Collick, Amber & Nathan Kauppila, Elijah Pelkie, 2 brothers; Robert (Betty) Pelkie, Marquette, LeRoy Pelkie, Gwinn, 2 sisters; Edna (Edward) Roberts, Gwinn, Marion (Jerry) Wrate, Gwinn, his former wife Sally (Jones), several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son David, and a brother Harlan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday at the Church of Our Saviour, 44 Snowfield Road, Negaunee Township. Rev. Charles L. Tooman will officiate and burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Koskey Funeral Home from 5-8 PM on Wednesday.
Patrick Hanley
DETROIT -- Patrick Hanley, age 77, died at 2:56 a.m. Friday, April 13, 2001 in Detroit from a heart attack.
He was born October 30, 1923 in Escanaba, MI, the son of Mahala (Gorman) Hanley and Terrance Hanley, who pre-deceased him. He attended Escanaba and Marquette schools, graduated from Northern Michigan University and received his law degree from the University of Michigan.
He was a Navy pilot in World War II.
He married Nancy Ellis in 1952, who predeceased him. He is survived by his two children, Tara Bratton and her husband, Hanson, and Patrick L. Hanley and his wife, Shirley.
He is also survived by his niece, Dolores Sawall, and his nephew, Thomas Hanley.
Services will be held Tuesday at the A.H. Peters Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI with committal services at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the Park Cemetery in Marquette. The Rev. Steve Rhoades of the First United Methodist Church will officiate, intermenty will take place at Park Cemetery.
Violet E. Jones
MUNISING -- Violet E. Jones, age 94, of 815 W. Munising Avenue and formerly of the Flint area, died on Friday, April 13, 2001 at 11:25 p.m. at the Superior Health Haven in Munising. She was born on September 7, 1906 in Negaunee to the late Charels and Esther (Eddy) Roseveare. Violet attended Negaunee schools and then moved to lower Michigan in the late 1920's. She was a homemaker and had been a member of the Methodist Church in Lapeer. She returned to the U.P. when she was 90 and had been a resident of the Superior Health Haven since then.
She is survived by her son, Richard (Joann Borrousch) Jones of Columbiaville, MI; her daughter, Joyce (David) Jordan of Shingleton, 6 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren; 5 sisters, Beatrice Zimmerman, Laura Jones, Dorothy Mansfield all of Flint, Gladys (Paul) LeBouef and Clara St. Johns both of Ishpeming, and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Violet was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Edward, William, Francis, and Russell Roseveare and 2 sisters, Emaline Roseveare and Alberta Yelland.
Private family services will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Interment will be at the Negaunee Cemetery.
