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George W. Bergerson
BARAGA -- George W. Bergerson, 77, of Baraga passed away Thursday, January 18, 2001 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit. Mr. Bergerson has been in ill health for some time.
George was born in Pontiac, MI, son of the late Andrew and Elva (Giddings) Bergerson. He attended Baraga schools and was a lifetime resident. On April 11, 1955, he married the former Evelyn Saari at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Baraga. Mr. Bergerson had served in the United States Navy. Mr. Bergerson has been employed at Celotex Corporation for 28 years, retiring in 1988.
Mr. Bergerson was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church. He had served as Baraga Village Marshall, and was also a member of the National Guard Unit, American Legion Baraga Post 444, Knights of Columbus, and a charter member of Bay Ambulance and the Baraga Fire Department. George's leisure activities included gardening and woodworking.
Mr. Bergerson is survived by his wife, Evelyn; sister, Grace Paquet of L'Anse; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents he was also preceded by 3 brothers, Perry, Cyril, and Earl; 5 sisters, Beatrice LaTendresse, Mable, Martha, Margaret, and Alice Bergerson.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Bergerson will be celebrated Monday, January 22, 2001 at 11 a.m. from St. Ann's Catholic Church, Baraga. Father George Joseph and Father Norm Clisch will con-celebrate and spring burial will take place in the Baraga Cemetery. His nephews will serve as casket bearers. The family will receive friends at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L'Anse, Sunday, January 21, 2001 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of service.
A parish prayer service will be recited at 6 p.m. Sunday at Reid Funeral Service and Chapel. Area veterans, under the direction of American Legion Baraga Post 444 and Baraga Fireman will conduct military honors and review at the funeral chapel at 7 p.m.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests memorials to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L'Anse, assisted the family with arrangements.
John Gould Lawry
ISHPEMING -- John Gould Lawry, age 89, of 801 Juniper St. Ishpeming, died Friday, January 19, 2001 at the Bell Memorial Hospital.
John was born in Ishpeming on September 4, 1911, to Christopher John and Ettie (Goodman) Lawry. He graduated from the Ishpeming High School in 1929. He served in the South Pacific theatre of operations during World War II. He married Bernice Pearce in 1948. After the war he took a position with the H.W. Gossard Company and retired as stock foreman in 1976. His wife preceded him in death in 1991. He was a life member of the Ahmeek Lodge #150, I.O.O.F., Disabled American Veterans, and the Ishpeming V.F.W.
John Lawry is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Lawry Hebbard. Following cremation, the remains will be interred in the Goodman-Lawry plot in the Ishpeming Cemetery. There will be no service. Arrangements are being handled by the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home.
Sivia K. Kumpu
CHRISTMAS -- Sivia K. Kumpu, 87, of 510 Tinsel Drive, Christmas, entered eternal life Saturday, January 20, 2001, at the Munising Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient for the past two days.
She was born January 31, 1913 in Marquette, a daughter of the late Elmer and Saara L. (Kokkonen) Kumpu. She moved to Kiva as a small child, attending the Kiva School. She left high school and went to live with her aunt in Washington, DC where she worked at the Washington Hotel was a popular spot for celebrities. Sivia later passed a Civil Service exam and worked for the government in payroll, printing, photostatting, and microfilming. She was promoted to Chief of Publications in the General Accounting Office, often called the "Watch Dog of the Nation", where she made General Accounting Office publications for the White House, all federal agencies, universities, as well as overseas agencies. She held that position until 1972 when she retired after 30 years of service and moved back to Upper Illinois for eleven years where Leo was employed in the building trades. In 1967 the family moved to Harvey where Leo worked locally in the building trades as a carpenter, also building the family home at 257 Silver Creek Road. He retired in 1986 due to ill health. Leo was a member of the Mississippi, a son of Larry Leon and Susan Marie (Fink) Collister, Sr., and was raised around the country while his father served in the military. He was a 1992 graduate of the Gwinn High School, where he played in the school band and had been student manager of the school basketball team for several years. He was currently employed in custodial services at both the Ojibwa II Casino and Godfather's Pizza. Larry enjoyed listening to music, going to movies, country line dancing, karaoke singing, and had been a spelling bee champion while in elementary school. He attended the Lake Superior Christian Church. A loving son, brother, and proud uncle, he is survived by: his mother and step-father, Susan and Paul Fleischman of Traverse City; his father and step-mother, Larry L. and Patricia Collister, Sr of Midland; brother, Jason (Renae) Collister of Ishpeming; special nephew, Drew Collister; step-brother, Mark Collister of Unityville, PA; step-sister, Tina (John) Butters of Jersey Shore, PA; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Larry was preceded in death by his eleven year old brother, Bryan Collister, in 1989. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Lake Superior Christian Church on Tuesday, January 23, beginning at 10 am. Funeral services will be held in the church at 12 Noon on Tuesday with Pastor Bud Holmes, officiating. Pallbearers will be: Clint and Chad Kakkuri, Todd Jennings, Eric and William Turner, and Jason Lehigh. Burial will be made in the Park Cemetery. The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family.
Victor Hugo Wehmanen
NEGAUNEE -- Victor Hugo Wehmanen, 94, of 323 Iron St. Negaunee died at 10:30 AM on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001 at Marquette General Hospital where he had been a patient for 3 days.
Mr. Wehmanen was born August 11, 1906 in Aitkin, MN to Isak Nestor & Aina (Heini) Wehmanen and came to Negaunee in 1928 to work in his father's jewelry store. He attended school to learn watchmaking and became an accomplished, well-known jeweler in Negaunee for over 40 years. He retired from Wehmanen's Jewelry in 1976. He was a veteran of WWII having served in India & Burma as a photographer.
Mr. Wehmanen was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee, was the oldest living member of the V.A. Romo Post # 3165 VFW, Negaunee, was a member of the American Legion, the Negaunee Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Free & Accepted Masons, 32nd degree Negaunee, the Ahmad Temple Shrine Scottish Rite Consistory, and the Knights of Kaleva. In his younger days Victor enjoyed hunting & fishing. He loved to spend time at his Shag Lake camp where he enjoyed saunas, spending time with family and playing his harmonica for his grandchildren. Vic always had a story to tell, bringing much joy & laughter to those around him. He will be greatly missed.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Laila (Auno) Wehmanen, 2 sons; Daniel (Jeryl) Wehmanen & Douglas (Margaret) Wehmanen, both of Negaunee, 1 sister, Selma Spencer, Palmdale, CA, 6 grandchildren; Dean Wehmanen, Yvette Niemi, April (Lynn) Tadgerson, Megan & Paul Wehmanen, Sarah Brown, 8 great grandchildren, several cousins, nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sons; Paul Victor in 1942 and David Peter in 1995, 3 sisters and 6 brothers.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with Rev. Christine Thomas- Echelbarger officiating. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandson Paul Wehmanen, nephews; Jim, Steve & Fred Wetton, and great nephews Christopher & Randy Wetton. Mr. Wehmanen's granddaughters will be honorary pallbearers.
Friends may call at the Koskey Funeral Home rom 5-8 PM on Monday. The Negaunee Masonic Lodge will hold rites there at 7:00 PM. There will also be an hour of visitation at the church prior to the service on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Victor's memory.
Roger M. Bennetts
MARQUETTE -- Roger M. Bennetts, 78, of 726 W. Magnetic St., died at Marquette General Hospital Friday, January 19, 2001 after a long illness.
He was born November 2, 1922 in Ishpeming to Roy and Lillian (Salson) Bennetts and was a 1940 graduate of Ishpeming High School. After receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir for 45 years, and was also a member of American Legion Jopling Post 44 of Marquette. He was an avid Lake Superior fisherman and also enjoyed aviation and model airplanes throughout his life.
Roger is survived by his wife M. Louise (Mutka) to whom he had been married for 50 years, two daughters, Jane (Don) Scherdt of Edmond, OK, and Sue (Brian) Rowe of Verona, Wl, a son Ed (Celine) Bennetts of Channahon, IL., six grandchildren, 2nd Lt. Dan Scherdt, Emily Scherdt and Abby Scherdt, Amanda Rowe and Eric Rowe, and Elizabeth Bennetts; two nieces, Linda Bennetts and Rosemary Bennetts and a nephew Robert Bennetts. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Calvin.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 12:00 PM in the Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. Paul Weber officiating. Burial will be in Park Cemetery with the grandchildren serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 10:00 AM on Tuesday. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church or to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Choir.
Ronald E. 'Pete' Waara
NEGAUNEE -- Ronald E. 'Pete' Waara, 80, of 76 Midway Drive, Negaunee Township, died at 9:32 PM on Friday, Jan. 19, 2001 at the Mather Nursing Center where he had been a patient for one week.
Pete was born Dec. 23, 1920 in Negaunee to Charles & Ellen (Hautamaki) Waara and was a life long area resident. He was a U.S. Navy veteran in WWII, having served in the South Pacific. He worked for CCI at the Mather B Mine and the Tilden Mine from where he retired in 1983. He was an avid sports fan who devoted his summers to the youth baseball program in Negaunee Township He initiated and participated in the development of the Negaunee Township baseball fields which were dedicated "Pete Warra Park" in his honor in 1969. He enjoyed gardening, birdwatching and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife Betty J. (Brisson) whom he married Aug. 17, 1943 in Ishpeming, his children; Ron, (Diane) Waara, Negaunee, Kay (Ray) Ball, Negaunee, Roger (Liz) Waara, Negaunee, Darryl 'Ponch' (Mary) Waara, Palmer, Lois (Pat) Ellis, Negaunee, 12 grandchildren, Wendy (Jeff) Larson, Negaunee, Ronald 'Bucka' Waara, Menominee, Kevin (Christine) Ball, Negaunee, Kurt (Jodi) Ball, Negaunee, Chris (Lori) Waara, Green Bay, WI, Heather (Reilly) Waara, Negaunee, Jonny (Barb) Waara, Iron River, Mark Waara, Palmer, Steven Waara, Palmer, Brad Waara, Grand Haven, Jeri (Scott) Borlace, Negaunee, Shanon (Matt) Landers, Ishpeming, 9 great grandchildren, 2 sisters, Enid (Kent) Lawson, Stockton, KS, Lollie (Don) DeBeck, Abrahams, WI, 1 brother Leo Waara, Green Bay, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters; Goldie, Laura, Ruby & Irma.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday at the Koskey Funeral Home with Rev. George R. Kaiser officiating. The family will greet friends from 5:30 PM until the time of services at 6:00 PM on Wednesday.
Douglas J. Zellar Sr.
ESCANABA -- Douglas J. Zellar Sr., 50, of 1220 South 15th Street, Escanaba died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, January 13, 2001.
He was born February 5, 1950 in Shelby, Michigan University and received his degree in the Culinary Arts from Essex College in Georgia, his mother, Mae Zellar of Lakefield, MI., 1 brother, Sydney Zellar of Lansing, MI., 1 sister Carol Ann (Bruce) Veneberg of Munising, MI., 1 niece and 1 nephew. He was preceded in death by his father Cecil Zellar in March 1999.
Funeral services for Doug Zellar were held Friday at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home with Branch President Scott Adams officiating. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 P.M. Friday. Burial will be in the family plot in West Lakefield Cemetery in McMillan, Jensen) Yelle and had lived in this area all his life. Prior to retiring he worked for the Bancroft Dairy as a semi driver. He was a member of the Teamsters Local and enjoyed square dancing.
Leonard is survived by his wife, the former Patricia Rankin to whom he had been married for 57 years, a daughter, Janice (Dennis) Grim and a son, Randy (Lee) Yelle, both of Sands, a sister Betty Andrew of Marquette, a brother Clarence (Esther) Yelle of Sands; nine grandchildren, Kathi, Allan, Rena, Leon, Eugene, Karen, Travis, Ryan and Breanne and ten great grandchildren.
Services will be held at 12:00 PM Saturday, January 27, 2001 in the First Baptist Church of New Swanzy with Rev. Ron Libey officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM at the church. The Swanson- Lundquist Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials can be made to U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
Franklin M. Robinson
MARQUETTE -- Franklin M. Robinson, age 25 of 248 W. Bluff St. Marquette, died Monday, January 22, 2001.
Frank was born September 11, 1975, in Owosso, MI to Justine I. and the late Reese M. Robinson. Frank moved to this area in 1989 from Vassar, MI, and has worked at the Econo Foods Store in Marquette for the past seven years, most recently as midnight manager.
Frank is survived by his girlfriend, Julia Collick of Marquette; his mother, Justine Robinson of Ishpeming; 2 brothers- Reese M. Robinson of Saginaw and John M. (Christi Nelson) Robinson of National Mine; a sister, Isis (Keith Delayre) Robinson of National Mine, along with several nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at 6:15PM on Thursday, January 25, 2001 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with the Rev. Msgr. Peter Oberto to officiate.
The family will greet friends from 4:00 PM until the time of services on Thursday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home.
Dr. Jack E. Rickman
CLARKSVILLE, IN -- Dr. Jack E. Rickman, age 62, of Clarksville, IN, died Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, IN. Mr. Rickman was born in Arnolds Park, Pennsylvania. Paul is survived by his wife Marie; children, Kristine, Paul, John, Brian and Carole; six grandchildren; sisters, Lotta and her husband Jay, and Kaarina and her husband Gary; and brother Mauri. A private family service will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Charlevoix County Hospice. The family is being served by the Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix.
Lucille M. Racine
ISHPEMING -- Lucille M. Racine, 90, of Ishpeming, died Tuesday morning at the Mather Nursing Center where she had been a patient for two weeks.
Mrs. Racine was born January 23, 1911 in Ishpeming to the late Archie and Mary (Williams) Minear and had been a lifelong area resident.
The H.W. Gossard Company employed her as a seamstress for many years. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Ishpeming.
She is survived by one daughter, Mary Lou (Charles) Simons of Ishpeming; one son, James (Lois)
Racine of Ishpeming; also two grandsons, two granddaughters and three great grandsons. Preceding her in death besides her parents, was her husband, Earl (Jack) Racine, who died in 1990, and a sister Bernice Johnson.
At Lucille's request, cremation will take place with inurnment to occur in the spring in the Ishpeming Cemetery. Graveside services will be announced at that time.
Lucille was a resident of Bell Memorial Hospital's Woodland Assisted Living Facility since it opened and she enjoyed the loving care she received there.
The Racine Funeral Chapel of Ishpeming is in charge of funeral arrangements.
