Ernest "Bill" Lappi
CHAMPION -- Ernest "Bill" Lappi, age 67, a lifelong resident of Champion died Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at Marquette General Hospital. He had been a resident of Jacobetti Veteran's Home for one year.
Bill's immediate survivors are a brother, Lauri (Elsie) Lappi of Champion, three sisters, Bertha Lindsteadt of Champion, Taimi (Leonard) Johnson of Warren, Michigan and Aili Hanks of Champion, and many nephews, nieces and friends.
Funeral services will be from the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Champion on Friday, April 27, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service all at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Champion.
Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home is providing the burial service.
Esther E. Hallinen
TRENARY -- Esther E. Hallinen, age 83, of Trenary, died following a lengthy illness at 12:25 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2001 at the Emergency Room of Marquette General Hospital. She was born on March 17, 1918 in Gwinn, MI to the late Paul and Jennie (Lindfors) Kallio. Esther lived most of her life in Trenary, but at the time of her death, she had been living under the loving care of Jean Hallinen. Esther worked as a nanny throughout high school and graduated from Trenary High School in 1935. She moved to Chicago and worked there as a nanny. On August 10, 1940, she married Hans Emil Hallinen. They were married over forty years before he preceded her in death on December 22. 1980. Esther and Hans traveled throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin opening and organizing many different Co-op Stores. They managed their own Co-op stores in Rock, Chatham, and Trenary. In May of 1950, they purchased the Trenary Home Bakery. She and Hans worked full-time in the bakery and many of Esther's duties included baking, bookkeeping, and cake decorating. They retired from the Bakery in 1980.
She was very active in the community and was a Charter member and Past President of the Trenary Lioness Club, a Charter member of the Home Extension, a member of the First Lutheran Church of Trenary, where she served as a board member, the Lutheran Guild, the TOPS club, the Winter's Corner Birthday Club, the Retail Baker's Association, the Wisconsin Baker's Association, the Trenary Federal Credit Union, the Alger-Delta Electric Co-operative, the Cook's Lake Association, and the Alger County Historical Society. Esther loved to travel and she and Hans were able to travel to Finland together prior to his death. They also took yearly fishing trips to Canada with another couple. After Hans died, she continued to travel as often as she could and made numerous trips to Alaska; she traveled to Hawaii, Florida, the East Coast on historical tours, and many of the tours offered by Debi Tours. Esther above all loved her grandchildren, but she also enjoyed reading, bowling, crossword puzzles, and berry picking.
She is survived by her children - Bruce Hallinen of Trenary, Robert (Darlene) Hallinen of Anchorage, AK, Cheryl (Warren) MacDonald, David (Joan) Hallinen, and Loriann (Joseph) Lyons all of Marquette; her grandchildren include Bruce's sons Joseph (Susan) and Jacob Hallinen, Bob's children, Rhiannon and Hans Hallinen, Cheryl's daughter, Anna MacDonald, David's children, Andrew and Jennifer Hallinen, and Loriann's children, Elizabeth and Michael Lyons; a great- grandson, Zachary E. Hallinen; brothers - Art (Anna) Kallio of Trenary, Lauri (Millie) Kallio of Parkridge, IL, and Donald (Verna) Kallio of Trenary; sisters - Helen Viton of Trenary, Jennie Biga of Waukegan, IL, Ida (Floyd) Kallio of Trenary, and Ruth (Arne) Ellsworth of Rockaway Park, NY; a goddaughter, Kristine Stine of Trenary; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and Hans, Esther was preceded in death by a grandson, Zachary Martin Hallinen, and a sister, Impi Moran.
Friends may call at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5:00 until 8:00. Lay minister Kathleen Godec will conduct the funeral on Saturday, April 28, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Trenary. Interment will be at the Mathias Township Cemetery in Trenary and she will be escorted by Bruce, Robert, David, and Joseph Hallinen, Warren MacDonald, and Joseph Lyons. Memorials may be made in memory of Esther to the First Lutheran Church of Trenary.
Irene Louise Downer
ADRIAN, MI -- Irene Louise Downer, age 81, of Adrian, died Thursday, April 26, 2001, at Bixby Medical Center. She was born in Adrian on December 22, 1919, to Joseph and Catherine (Reck) Libs. Irene graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1938 and has been a resident of Adrian all of her life. On June 15, 1944, she married Billy Downer in Adrian. They had been married for 54 years and he preceded her in death on December 30, 1998. Irene was a member of St. Jospeh Catholic Church, the St. Joseph Council of Catholic Women and L.C.B.A. She worked for a number of years at Leo Marks Jewelry Store, Berndts Jewelry and then worked with her husband at Downer Bike and Lock Shop. Irene was an inspiration to all of us. She has been in a wheel chair since 1975, being paralyzed. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling and her grandchildren.
Surviving are her three daughters and their husbands, Linda (Mike) Butchart of Adrian, Mary Ann (Steve) Camron of Tecumseh and Emily (Larry) Lewis of Marquette; three brothers and their wives, Charles (Betty) Libs of Flint, Edward Libs of Ann arbor, and George (Marie) Libs of Adrian; three sisters, Marguerite Van Osselaer of Houston, TX, Rita Turnwald of Morenci and Rose Scott of Adrian; 8 grandchildren, Kim (Steve) Boley, Tony (Erin) Butchart, Brian Butchart, Alicia and Camille Camron, Amy, Cindy and Catherine Lewis; 4 great- grandchildren, Shane, Ashley, and Charles Boley and Heather Vargas; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy, her parents, and one sister, Ruth Dempsey.
The Funeral Liturgy will be offered Saturday, April 28, 2001 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Williams as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 2-8 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9 AM until the time of service at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited on Friday at 4:00 PM led by SAM (Senior Adult Ministry) a Vigil Prayer Service will also be held on Friday at 7:30 PM with Fr. Michael Williams officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home.
Maria V. Leidholdt
MARQUETTE -- Maria V. Leidholdt, 86, formerly of 428 Sunnybrook Rd., died Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at the Mather Nursing Center in Ishpeming.
She was born January 27, 1915 in Haaltert, Belgium and had moved to this area from Sterling Heights in 1996. Prior to retiring she worked as an Office Manager for Sterling Heights Township. She was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband, James in 1997. She is survived by two daughters; Patricia (Jack) McLenithan and Lorraine Leidholdt, both of Marquette, a brother Alphonse Carroll of East Linn, OR; grandchildren David Urso and Stephanie Kraemer and great grandchildren Amber Urso, David Urso Jr. and Pamella Kraemer.
Services will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, April 29, 2001 in the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall with John Ferguson officiating. The Swanson- Lundquist Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Martha J. Wiljanen
ISHPEMING -- Martha J. Wiljanen, age 86, of 111 Bluff St. #512, Ishpeming passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at her home in Ishpeming.
Martha was born March 24, 1915 in Negaunee to the late Charles & Johanna (Kotka) Lampinen. She was a graduate of the Michigamme High School, Class of 1933. She and her late husband Arthur resided in Imperial Heights for many years. Martha then moved to Marquette in 1979 and had most recently lived in Ishpemng for the past 8 months.
Martha was a member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church where she had served on the church Council as secretary for a period of 6 years. She had served as treasurer of Spurr Twp. and was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Michigamme.
Survivors include 4 daughters- Kathleen (Gene) Kinsey of Anderson SC, Carolyn (Daniel) Hupp of Champion, Nancy Ryan of White Lake, MI and Mary (James) Mitchell of Champion; 3 sons- Arthur (Ruth) Wiljanen Jr. of Imperial Heights, Dale (Janet) Wiljanen of Wyoming, MI and David (Debbie) Wiljanen of Champion; a sister-in-law Sylvia Pantti of North Lake, brother-in-law and sister-in-law- Emil & Helmi Wiljanen of Imperial Heights; 21 Grandchildren, 29 Great Grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur in 1967, a daughter Kathryn J. Wiljanen, a grandson Keith Plankey, 2 sisters and 5 brothers.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 27, 2001 at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Champion with the Rev. Christopher Nelson to officiate. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Michigamme.
Friends may call at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Friday.
Pallbearers will be Martha's Grandchildren.
The Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Doris E. Wallner
KINGSFORD -- Doris E. Wallner, 79, of 220 Henford Ave., Kingsford, MI died April 25, 2001 at Eastwood Nursing Home in Negaunee, MI where she had resided since Feb. 17, 1997.
She leaves her daughter and son-in-law Vicki & Joe Antonini of Spread Eagle, WI. Her son and daughter-in-law Jeff & Linda Wallner of Ishpeming, MI. Two brothers, Robert (Cookie) Wright of Taylor, MI and Gerald (Beverly) Wright of Iron Mountain. Two sisters, Megs Smith of Englewood, OH and Patricia (John) Butler of Niagara, WI.
She is further survived by her beloved grandchildren Dr. Michael (Heather) Antonini of San Bernadino, CA, David (Shannon) Antonini of Wausau, WI, Maria (Nick Grimm) Antonini of Green Bay, WI, Jason, Andrew & Steven Wallner of Ishpeming.
She also was the proud Great Grandmother of Nichola & Nolan Antonini of Wausau, WI and Victoria Grimm of Green Bay, WI.
She will also be missed by numerous loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by three infant siblings, 5 brothers- William, Henry, Alfred, Thomas and Orville, 5 sister- Florence "Annie" Vicenzi, Gladys Kranner, Betty Wright, Adeline Balzola and Edith Alleva.
Visitation will be on Friday, April 27 from 4 to 8pm at the Kingsford Funeral Home and on Saturday, April 28 from 9am to 10am at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Funeral Services will be on Saturday at 10am at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Rev. Stephen Cowen will officiate. Burial will be at Cemetery Park. The Erickson-Rochon-Nash Funeral Home in Kingsford is in charge of arrangements.
Gertrude L. Syrjala
ISHPEMING -- Gertrude L. Syrjala, age 82, of 893 N. Main St., Ishpeming passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2001 at the Bell Memorial Hospital shortly after being admitted.
Gertrude was born July 6, 1918 in North Lake location to the late John & Sophie (Alsenuis) Nevalainen. She was a graduate of the Champion High School, Class of 1936. She worked for several years at the H.W. Gossard Co. as a seamstress. While at the Gossard she was Union Stewart for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Gertrude was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, and the Gossard Golden Age Retirees Club.
Survivors include her husband of 21 years Taisto Syrjala of Ishpeming; a son- William J. (Michele) Jalonen of Ishpeming; 2 grandsons- William Jalonen, Jr. and Brad Jalonen both of Ishpeming; 2 step-daughters- Celia (Richard) Yantis- Sterling Heights, MI and Judith (Bob) Carroll of Kimberly, WI; 6 step-grandchildren; 8 step-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband William F. Jalonen in October of 1966 and a sister Martha Moody in 1995.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 28, 2001 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki and Rev. C. Bruce Ulstad to officiate. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Bethel Lutheran Church from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday.
Pallbearers will be William and Brad Jalonen, Richard Yantis and Bob, Christopher and Stephen Carroll.
The Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Emil Wiljanen
MICHIGAMME -- John Emil Wiljanen, age 89 of HCR 1 Nelson St., Imperial Heights, died Thursday at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he has been a resident since November 2000.
John was born September 10, 1911 in Ishpeming to the late Oscar & Ida (Autio) Wiljanen. He was a life long area resident. He married Helmi (Partanen) on September 15, 1951. He worked for the Baraga County Road Commission for 33 years as a truck driver retiring in 1974.
He was a member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Champion, and is an honorary member of the Spurr Township Fire Department of which he was an active member for 40 years. He was a former member of the Michgamme American Legion. He was a veteran of WWII having served for General Patton in the 3rd Army.
He is survived by his wife Helmi, 1 daughter Miriam Jackson of Negaunee, 1 son Wayne (Jane) Wiljanen of Michigamme, 1 sister Sylvia Pantti of Ishpeming, 5 grandchildren, Alan & Andrew Waisanen, Bryan, Bradly & Bruce Wiljanen, 6 great grandchildren, Sam, Johnny & Tommy Waisanen, Ivan, Luke & Katie Wiljanen along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday April 29, 2001 at 4 PM at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Champion with Rev. Christopher Nelson to officiate. Burial will be at Northland Chapel Gardens. Friends may call at the church on Sunday from 2 until 4 PM. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and Steven Partanen. The Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Theodore Keranen
AURA -- Theodore Keranen, age 89, of Aura, passed away Thursday, April 26, 2001, at his home.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, April 30, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church in L'Anse. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the Jacobson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Rev. Margaret Grant will officiate. Burial will be in the Aura Cemetery.
The Jacobson Funeral Home of L'Anse is assisting the family.
Audrey Moore
MARQUETTE -- Audrey Moore died quietly, quickly and peacefully at 9 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2001. She was 84, moved back to Marquette, MI, in May, 2000, and had lived with excellent and compassionate care at the Valente Home (Marquette County Medical Care Facility) since June, 2000.
G.G. (Great Grandma) was born in Sweden and emigrated to Minneapolis, MN, at age 3 with her parents and older sister. She married Harlow Moore of Ironwood, MI, in 1936, and together they operated an electrical contracting business in Ironwood, Moore's Electric, for 40 years. They were members of Salem Lutheran Church. Her husband and sister, Martha, preceded her in death.
She leaves behind; two children, Robert (Susan), a psychologist in Marquette, Mary Cohen in Minneapolis: four grandchildren, Devon and David Cohen of Minneapolis, Sheryl Rule of Marquette, Tricia Moore of Dallas, TX; two great grandchildren, Erin and Allison Rule of Marquette; three nephews, Russell (JoAnne) and Bob (Sharon) Johnson of Minnesota, Don (Stephanie) Stone of Niles, MI, and one niece, Jane Garahan of Boston, MA.
She is already missed by friends in Minneapolis, family, and her smoking buddies at the Valente Home. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis and, in lieu of flowers/ gifts, the family asks that a donation be made to your own church.
The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Clarence I. Dreisbach
ALLENTOWN, PA -- Clarence I. Dreisbach, 98, passed away at Luther Crest Retirement Community on Thursday, April 26, 2001 at the Luther Crest Health Center in Allentown.
Clarence was born in Union Hill, Carbon County, PA to the late Robert D. and Nora G. (Brunner) Dreisbach. Clarence was a general manager for a radio station, WSAN, Allentown for a few years before becoming a Artistic Designer at former L. F. Grammes, Allentown, retiring in 1986. He was then self employed as an Artist/ Artistic Designer and also taught private classes in Allentown, Poconos and Lancaster. Clarence had a former Art Gallery in Mountainhome, Monroe County, PA. He was a Free & Accepted Mason at Jordan Lodge #673, Allentown, PA. He served as Air Raid Warden in Allentown during WWII and was a founding member of Allentown Art Alliance. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Allentown.
Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Jones) Dreisbach. He is survived by one son, Dr. Donald F. Dreisbach of Marquette, MI; one brother Rollin G. Dreisbach of Lancaster, PA; and 2 Grandsons.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm, Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 Highland St., Allentown, PA. Friends may call from 1pm until 2pm on Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Allentown. Contributions may be made to Luther Crest Retirement Village, 800 Hausman Rd., Allentown, PA 18104.
Clifford A. Laabs
REPUBLIC -- Clifford A. Laabs, age 81 of 118 Republic Ave., Republic passed away, Thursday, April 26, 2001 at the Marquette General Hospital following a short illness.
Clifford was born April 11, 1920 in Republic to the late Herman and Roseanna (LaBeau) Laabs and was a lifelong Republic resident. He was a graduate of the Republic High School, Class of 1939. Clifford served in the United States Army for 4 years during World War II and had received the Good Conduct Medal. He worked as head custodian for the Republic-Michigamme Schools, for a period of 31 years, during which he never missed a single day of work until his retirement in 1982. Prior to working at the schools he worked for the Trout Falls Dairy for 4 years.
He was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church, where he served as usher for many years. He was an honorary citizen of Boystown and a member of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel.
Survivors include 3 daughters- Mary Laabs of Republic, Betty (Peter) King of Republic and Margaret (Sid) Bray of Vulcan; a son Kenneth (Sue) Laabs of Mt. Clemens; 7 grandchildren- Monica and Jessica Laabs of Mt. Clemens, Dennis (Chantell) Gravedoni Jr. of Blair, NE; Philip Gravedoni and special friend Jen Gardner of Kansas City, MO; Rachel, Wyatt and Isaac Bray of Vulcan along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Frances in 1994 and a sister Mabel Duhame in Aug. of 2000.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 30, 2001 at the St. Augustine Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Giles Brault to officiate. Burial will be in the Republic Cemetery.
Friends may call at the St. Augustine Catholic Church from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Monday.
Pallbearers will be Dean Duhame, Len Gardner, Ralph Gardner, Wallace Mackey, & Clarence Laurila.
The Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Evelyn McGee
MARQUETTE -- Evelyn M. McGee, 75, of Big Bay, died early Friday morning, April 27, 2001 at the Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette.
Mrs. McGee was born August 9, 1925 in Los Angeles, California to the late Leo and Marie (Webber) Enright. She was a graduate of Franklin High School in Los Angeles. On August 14, 1948, she married James M. McGee at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.
Evelyn worked as a secretary for 20 years for the Bunny Bread Company of Marquette and also was employed as a telephone operator for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Bay.
Evelyn was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and enjoyed playing cards. She and her husband, Jim, spent 15 winters in Las Vegas, Nevada, but nothing gave her more pleasure than spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, James M. McGee; two sons, William (Patricia) McGee of Nunica, MI and Timothy (Laurie) MeGee of Marquette; six grandchildren, Shawn, Christopher, Caitlin, Dylan, Michael and Jordan; two sisters, Alice Kitchen of Van Nuys, CA and Janet (Cecil) Wilson of Tahoe Paradise, CA; one brother, Leo "Mickey" (Sara) Enright of Punta Gorda, FL; also many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death besides her parents was an infant son, James Oliver McGee; also a brother, Neil "Bud'' Enright.
Friends may call at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 to 8 P.M. where a parish prayer service will be held at 7:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 A.M. in St. Peter Cathedral with the Rev. James Roetzer officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be William, Timothy, Shawn, Chris and Caitlin McGee.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the U.P. Home Hospice Program, 1414 W. Fair Ave., Marquette, MI 49855.
Isabella Grace Chaudier
GWINN -- Isabella Grace Chaudier, infant daughter of Greg & Jennifer (Hemstock) Chaudier, of Gwinn, entered eternal life Friday at Marquette General Hospital.
She is survived by her parents; two sisters, Marina & Ashley Chaudier; grandparents, Dave & Jean Chaudier of Gwinn and Thomas & Dianne Hennink of Pennsylvania; great- grandparents, Clifford & Pauline Hemstock of Ishpeming, Harriet Capaldi of Pennsylvania and Ruth Hennink of Grand Rapids, MI; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be private.
The Gwinn Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Lydia Mae Barry-Carlson
ISHPEMING-NEGAUNEE -- Lydia Mae Barry-Carlson, infant daughter of Mandy Barry and Damion Carlson was stillborn on Wednesday, April 25, 2001 at Bell Memorial Hospital.
Surviving are the parents, the maternal grandparents, Colleen & Darryl Carlson, Ishpeming, the paternal grandparents Steve (Cindy) Carlson, Negaunee, the maternal great grandmother, Beth Barry, Marquette, the paternal great grandparents, Phil & Mavis Carlson, Negaunee, several aunts, uncles & cousins. She was preceded in death by her maternal great grandfather, Herbert Barry.
Private graveside services will be held at the Negaunee Cemetery officiated by Rev. David Echelbarger, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee.
The Koskey Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
