William Johnson
CRYSTAL FALLS — William Johnson, 83, of 1329 Highway U.S. 2, Crystal Falls Township, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001, at Iron County General Hospital in Iron River.
William was born Sept. 30, 1914, in Crystal Falls, son of the late August and Sophia (Kukila) Johnson. He was a lifelong resident of the Crystal Falls area and attended school in Alpha.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
William married Alice Johnson on July 17, 1946. She preceded him in death in October of 1969.
He married Marie DeBaker on Oct. 5, 1974, in Iron Mountain and the couple moved to Crystal Falls.
William worked for CCI Mining Co. for 13 years, retiring in 1977.
He enjoyed gardening and the flowers that grew in his yard. He also loved keeping up with the local sports teams and watching the Chicago Cubs on television.
William was an active member of United Lutheran Church in Crystal Falls.
He leaves his wife, Marie; four sons, Kenneth (Paulette) Johnson of Kingsford, Roger (Roberta) Johnson of Crystal Falls, Norman (Charlotte) Johnson of Milwaukee and Russell (Anne) Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz.; three stepdaughters, Ginger (James) LaRock of Iron River, Germaine (Stanley) Bjork of Gwinn and Charlene (Allan) Anderson of Crystal Falls; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a nephew, Neil (Starr) Adank of Crystal Falls, and many cousins.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Toivo and Gust, and a sister, Fannie Johnson.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home of Crystal Falls and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at United Lutheran Church in Crystal Falls.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Pastor Tammy Dahlvang will officiate.
Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Robb, Kurt and Brad Anderson, Scott Bjork, Brian Sims and Matt Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters, Charmaine Sims, Shannon and Sara Bjork, Kimberly, Kristin and Marisa Johnson.
The family is being served by the Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home of Crystal Falls.
Lloyd Trecartin
QUINNESEC — Lloyd H. Trecartin, 69, of 831 Colleen Circle Drive, Quinnesec, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, Wis.
Mr. Trecartin was born Aug. 26, 1931, in Quinnesec, son of the late Homer and Clara (Verley) Trecartin. He was a resident of this area for most of his life.
He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
He married the former Patricia Hodge on April 9, 1954. She preceded him in death on Dec. 16, 2000.
Mr. Trecartin worked for the Operating Engineers Union Local 324 as a crane operator until his retirement in 1992.
He loved hunting, snowmobiling, horse pulls, going to camp, small children, God and all his family and good friends.
He leaves three daughters, Candace (Mark) Corbett, Cara Trecartin and Patricia “Denise” Morgan, all of Oshkosh, Wis.; a brother, Ralph (Ardeth) Trecartin of Eau Claire, Wis.; a sister, Carol (Burton) Pontynen of Anguin, Calif.; three grandchildren, Abby and Molly Corbett of Oshkosh and Brent Ray of Florida and two great-grandchildren, Michael and Zachary.
Private family visitation will be held at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Quinnesec Cemetery. Pastor Duane O’Ffill will officiate.
Burial will be in Quinnesec Cemetery.
The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Thelma Hermstad
POWERS — Thelma G. Hermstad, 87, of Powers died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001, at Pinecrest Medical Care Facility in Powers.
Mrs. Hermstad was born April 2, 1914, in Jackson County, Wis., daughter of the late Theodore and Gena (Haugen) Torgerson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Will Hermstad; a son, Donavan Carbonillie, and a brother-in-law, John Lacni.
She leaves a brother, Eldon (Eleanor) Torgerson of Onemia, Minn.; a sister, Rosellie Lacni of Iron Mountain; a niece, Cecelia (John) Perry of Iron Mountain and a nephew.
Private family services will be held.
Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.
The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Elmer Sparpana
IRON MOUNTAIN — Elmer F. “Jake” Sparpana, 83, of N-3864 Pine Mountain Road, Breitung Township, died Monday, Aug. 6, 2001, at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette.
Elmer was born Oct. 12, 1917, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Frank and Zillah (Dupont) Sparpana. He grew up in Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School.
He married Eleanore Martin on May 18, 1946, and she preceded him in death in January of 1958. On Feb. 16, 1963, he married Catherine Peter.
Elmer served in the U.S. Coast Guard from May of 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1945. He served in two active tour of duties in the South Pacific.
He worked as deputy sheriff of Dickinson County from 1974 until 1981. He also served as constable for Breitung Township from 1976 until 1996. Elmer worked for the U.S. Department of Defense in Waukesha from 1950 until he retired in 1974, when the couple moved back to the area.
Elmer was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a member of the United Sportsmans Club and Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 of Iron Mountain.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing and the outdoors.
He leaves his wife, Catherine; a daughter, Jean (Steve) Scherkenbach of Dousman, Wis.; a brother, Vance (Mildred) Sparpana of Freeman Convalescent Home in Kingsford; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two daughters, Jane Marie, in 1965, and Karen Bird Moreno, in March of 2001; six brothers, Louis, Willard, Clifton, Clifford, Aldred and Robert; three sisters, Annabelle Daniels, Gladys Thomas and Kathryn Martin, and a great-grandson.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Prayers will be recited at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Mass of Resurrection will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. Msgr. James Kaczmarek will officiate.
Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.
The family is being served by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.
Mary Lauersdorf
IRON MOUNTAIN — Mary Lauersdorf, 84, of Kingsford died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain.
She was born Oct. 13, 1916, in Iron Mountain, daughter of the late Nuncio and Giovanina (DiAgostine) Calvesio. She was a lifelong resident of the area.
Mrs. Lauersdorf cleaned homes and doctors’ offices.
She belonged to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingsford and attended Bible study.
Mrs. Lauersdorf also enjoyed going to the Crystal Lake Senior Center and playing cards.
She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She married Herbert Lauersdorf on Sept. 13, 1941, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. He preceded her in death on Aug. 31, 1993.
Mrs. Lauersdorf is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Mary Lauersdorf of Kingsford; two sisters, Gilda Hohol of Niagara, Wis., and Viola (Toby) Hirro of Florida; three grandchildren, Lori (Ken) Kiltinen, Charles S. Lauersdorf and Gary Lauersdorf; three great-grandchildren, Michael, Jesse and Lacey; a sister-in-law, Hazel Stachovicz of Kingsford; many nieces and nephews, and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Quinn and Chris Johnson.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Victor Calvesio; two sisters, Emma Gottesacher and Betty Oehmke, and a grandson, Carl Lauersdorf.
Visitation was held from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingsford.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. today at the church. Rev. Martin Koeller officiated.
Burial was in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.
The Tondin-Ross & Freeman Funeral Home of Iron Mountain was in charge of arrangements.
Walter Jarvis
IRON RIVER — Walter A. Jarvis, 87, of Iron River passed away Saturday, Aug. 4, 2001, at his home.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Rev. Norman Clisch will officiate.
The West Side Veterans Council will accord military rites.
Burial will be in the Resthaven Cemetery in Iron River.
The Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River is in charge of arrangements.
Doris Mittlestedt
IRON RIVER — Doris Mittlestedt, 81, of 431 Jasper St., Iron River, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2001, at Iron County General Hospital.
She was born Sept. 9, 1919, in Stambaugh, daughter of the late Charles and Selma (Anderson) Rae. She graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1937.
She attended Presbyterian St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Chicago and became a registered nurse (RN). She practiced as a private duty nurse in the Chicago area and also at St. Luke’s Hospital.
In 1950, she married Wilbur Mittlestedt and the couple made their home in Mt. Prospect and Palatine, Ill. Following retirement, the couple moved to Ocala, Fla. Mr. Mittlestedt preceded her in death in 1995, at which time Doris moved to Stambaugh.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Lindquist; three brothers, Kenneth, Russell and Chester Rae; four sisters, Hazel Oldham, Mabel Mellon, Pearl Drake and Ruby Dolan; a granddaughter, Victoria Rose Mittlestedt, and a son-in-law, Thomas Oliver.
As a child, Doris attended the former Swedish Mission Covenant Church in Stambaugh.
She leaves two sons, Dennis (Donna) Mittlestedt of Palatine, Ill., and Charles (Judy) Mittlestedt of Carey, Ill.; a daughter, Barbara Oliver of Green Bay, Wis.; a brother, Ward (Dorothy) Rae of Caspian, and grandson, Charles Rae Mittlestedt Jr. of Carey, Ill.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Langenberg Funeral Home-Stambaugh Chapel. Rev. Dan Waters, pastor of the Iron River Bible Church, will officiate.
Burial will be in the family lot in the Stambaugh Cemetery.
The Langenberg Funeral Home-Stambaugh Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Vernon Constantineau
MUNISING — Vernon Howard Constantineau, 76, of 319 Maple St., Munising, died Saturday morning, Aug. 4, 2001, at the Munising Memorial Hospital, following an extended illness.
He was born Oct. 2, 1924, in Schaeffer, Delta County, son of the late Edmond and Mildred (Belanger) Constantineau. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1942.
Vern was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific Asiatic Theater of Operation from March of 1943 to March of 1946.
He married Elizabeth Meyers on Dec. 7, 1946. She preceded him in death in October of 1966.
Vern worked briefly for the Ford Motor Co. in Kingsford and then for the Kingsford Company Sawmill and Charcoal Briquettes.
He attended Northern Michigan University in 1959 and graduated from there in 1962.
Vern began teaching various business classes at William G. Mather High School in 1962. He earned his master’s degree from Northern Michigan University in 1967. He retired from teaching in the business department of Munising High School in 1988.
He married Janet Berkel, in 1968, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 1995.
Vern was a member of the Munising and National Education Associations, Sacred Heart Church in Munising, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Roderick Prato Post. He was a volunteer for the Munising Senior Citizens Center and he loved to walk.
He leaves his daughter, Susan (Bill) Kearns of Hudson, Fla.; a son, Larry (Linda Pangborn) Constantineau of Traverse City; a sister, Donna Rasic of California; three brothers, Roger and Donald Constantineau, both of Milwaukee and Dean Constantineau of Iron Mountain; grandchildren; step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty Boylan, and two brothers, Robert and Kenneth Constantineau.
Visitation was held Sunday at Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. A combined Knights of Columbus and parish vigil service was conducted.
Fr. Dennis L. Borca conducted the funeral at 10 a.m. today at Sacred Hearth Church in Munising.
Burial was in Maple Grove cemetery in Munising where members of the American Legion Honor Guard conducted graveside services.
Escorts were the members of the Knights of Columbus.
Larry Beaudette
HAMDEN, Conn. — Larry (Luri) K. Beaudette, 82, of 117 Leonard Road, Hamden, died June 27, 2001, in Hamden.
He was the husband of Marion Stutzman Beaudette.
He worked for Fusco Corp. in Connecticut for 22 years, retiring in 1985.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
In addition to his wife, Marion, he leaves a daughter, Jacqueline B. Downing of Hamden; sons, Larry G. Beaudette of Cheshire, Conn., and Edward L. Beaudette of Hamden; a brother, George Beaudette of Norway, and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Lorraine Rosatti and Marcia Ruatti.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at the Norway Township Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.
Richard Hixon
FREMONT — Richard Oliver Hixon, 54, formerly of Muskegon passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2001, near Forsyth, Mont., as a result of an automobile accident.
Richard was born May 25, 1947, in Muskegon, son of Oliver and Ida Mae (Fishel) Hixon.
He had owned Dick’s Barber Shop in Iron Mountain and was currently a cook for Park’s Concession.
He leaves his son, Rick Hixon of Iron Mountain; his father, Oliver Hixon of Fremont; his brothers and sisters, James (Sheila) Hixon of Wisconsin, Mildred Johnson of Grand Rapids, lower Michigan, Roger (Carolyn) Hixon of North Carolina, Larry (Shirley) Hixon of Florida and Ruth (Louis) Mann of California, and 22 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ida Mae Hixon on June 21, 1995, and by a sister, Virginia Lee Hixon in 1942.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Eastern time) Thursday at Kroeze Funeral Home in Fremont.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Fremont. Pastor Clyde Afman will officiate.
Burial will be in North Weare Cemetery.
The Kroeze Funeral Home of Fremont is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Wilford
ST. JOSEPH — Betty Eisele Wilford, 78, of Stevensville, lower Michigan, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2001. Betty spent the last four and a half years of her life at the Fountainview Alzheimer’s Home in Buchanan, lower Michigan.
She was born March 30, 1923, in Iron Mountain, daughter of the late Lewis and Evangaline (Holfeltz) Eisele. She was raised in Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1941.
Betty attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in 1945.
She was a 49-year resident of the Stevensville area.
Betty was a 25-year member of Mercy-Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Twin City Players and PTA and was a Girl Scout leader.
She leaves her daughter, Ann (Bob) Wilford Smith of Coloma, lower Michigan; two sons, Mike Wilford and his fiance, Kathleen Hubans of St. Joseph, lower Michigan, and Paul (Cindy) Wilford of Stevensville; two grandchildren, Tracy (Chris) Ullig and Michael Steven Wilford, and a great-grandson, Vernon Ullig.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert Eisele; and her daughters, Susan Elizabeth Wilford and Cynthia Wilford Vogel.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern time) today at Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in St. Joseph. A rosary service will be recited at 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. At 10:30 a.m. the procession will go from the Dey-Florin Chapel to St. John’s Catholic Church for the Mass.
Cremation will follow at a later date.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, of which she was a member, Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, American Cancer Society or Hospice at Home.
Betty will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Leonora Kurcz
IRON MOUNTAIN — Leonora “Leona” Kurcz, 88, of Chicago, formerly of Iron Mountain and Niagara, Wis., died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001, at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago.
She was born Aug. 19, 1912, in Niagara, daughter of the late Charles and Julia (Skibinski) Kurcz. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1929 and moved to the Chicago area, where she resided the rest of her life.
Leona was a nurse for the Time/Life Magazine Co. in Chicago for many years prior to her retirement.
She was a member of the Holy Name Cathedral and sang in the Chicago Renaissance Choir for many years. She was a leader of her senior citizen exercise group at the Levy Center in Chicago.
Leona was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Ann Kurcz and Helen Getz.
She leaves four brothers, Joseph Kurcz of Iron Mountain, Leo Kurcz of Chicago, John (Janet) Barry of Torrance, Calif., and Barry (Helen) Kurcz of Brown Deer, Wis.; a sister, Clare Bruun of Berwyn, Ill., and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Iron Mountain. Fr. Daniel Zaloga will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.
Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery.
The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Leeann Quasarano
IRON MOUNTAIN — Leeann E. Quasarano, 77, of Evergreen Apartments in Kingsford, formerly of Detroit, died March 17, 2001, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain.
Leeann was born May 17, 1923, daughter of the late Edward and Ruby (Lane) LaFleur. She graduated from Kingsford High School in 1939.
She was a long time resident of Detroit and had moved back to Kingsford in 1999.
Leeann was an avid card player.
She married Joseph Quasarano in 1945, in Detroit. He preceded her in death in 1975.
She leaves a son, Patrick (Chris) of St. Clair Shores, lower Michigan; a brother, Lane (Eva) LaFleur of Iron Mountain; a sister, Sauni (Greg) Nowak of Yorba Linda, Calif., and many nieces, nephews and special friends.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Joseph, and a sister, Nancy Trepanier.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Fr. Joseph Gouin will celebrate the Mass.
Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.
The Tondin-Ross & Freeman Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Sablich
IRON RIVER — Robert R. Sablich, 70, of Iron River passed away Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001, at his home.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery in Iron River.
The Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River is in charge of arrangements.
Joyce Lind
IRON MOUNTAIN — Joyce Yvonne Lind, 77, of 1206 VanBuren St., Iron Mountain, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2001, at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford.
Ms. Lind was born Sept. 23, 1923, in Iron Mountain, daughter of the late Axel and Gunda (Anderson) Lind. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School and Dundon’s Business School in Iron Mountain.
She was employed at the Dickinson County Courthouse for more than 37 years, of which 30 years she spent as the chief deputy county clerk.
Ms. Lind was honored in 1966 by the Beta Sigma Nu Sorority as the First Lady of Dickinson County.
She was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain, where for many years she and her mother made decorations for the mother and daughter banquet.
Ms. Lind also enjoyed oil painting and crafts.
She leaves her cousins, John Cini and Roger Cini, both of Wauwatosa, Wis., Neva Adams of Greeley, Colo., Dale Anderson of Henderson, Nev., and Ray Kollman of Albuquerque, N.M., and many good friends.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain.
Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Rev. Stephen Cowen will officiate.
Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.
Memorials may be made to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain.
The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
Wayne Stapleton
IRON RIVER — Wayne Stapleton, 81, of Alvin, Wis., died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2001, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette.
Mr. Stapleton was born Sept. 2, 1919, in Salt Lick, Ky., the son of the late Levi and Liza Jane (Day) Stapleton. He attended school in Kentucky and moved to Alvin at 16.
He married the former Anna I. Beckman, Aug. 1, 1943, in Nelma, Wis. The couple made their home in Alvin, and this year celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
Wayne worked in the woods for various loggers for many years and later he was employed by the Proksch Construction Co. operating heavy equipment for 21 years, retiring in 1974.
He was an avid gardener and outdoorsman and a good “Story Teller.” He loved the woods and enjoyed taking his motor home to Perch Lake. He was devoted to his grandchildren.
He was a member of St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Iron River, and the Operating Engineers #324.
He is survived by his wife, Anna; seven sons, Kenneth (Joyce) Stapleton of Iron River; Alfred (Judy) Stapleton of Middleberg, Fla.; Leslie (Donna) Stapleton of Alvin; Mark Stapleton of Gillette, Wis.; Terry Stapleton of Alvin; Gary Stapleton of Alvin; Curtis (Kerri) Stapleton of Wausau, Wis.; a daughter, Dian (Norman) Borske of Iron River; two brothers, Floyd Elwood Stapleton of Alvin and Courtney Stapleton of Alvin; 24 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Ronald Stapleton; five brothers, Ferris, Ray, Chester, Green and Jo-Siephus and two sisters, Rita Darrell and Evie Dennison.
Visitation will be Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River.
Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iron River with the Rev. Marvin Zank, pastor, to officiate.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Tim, Chad, Scott, Dennis, Mark, Eric and Dan Stapleton, and Bruce Piwarski.
Burial will be in LakeView Cemetery in Alvin.
Funeral arrangements are by the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River.
