OBITUARIES
John H. "Pa" Klopatek
Oct 28, 2025
John H. "Jack" Klopatek, 93, of Mercer, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
John was born on May 3, 1932, in Milwaukee, the son of John F. and Veronica (Herman) Klopatek. He was a graduate of Pulaski High School in Milwaukee and proudly served his country in the U.S....
Daniel Joseph "Muskie" Stella
Oct 22, 2025
Daniel Stella, 83, of Hurley, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Danny was born on March 10, 1942, in Bessemer, Michigan, to the late Mae (Barrett) and Albert (Birch) Stella. Danny attended the Cary School, St. Mary's, and was a 1960 graduate of the J.E. Murphy High School.
Dan was a proud...
Justin Goode
Oct 14, 2025
Justin Goode, age 36, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away suddenly on October 14, 2025. He was born on November 5, 1988, in Oberlin, Ohio, to Janet and Kevin Goode. A lifelong resident of Lorain, Justin graduated from Clearview High School in 2006.
From a young age, Justin had a deep love for sports. From the time he...
Janice Marie Johnson
Oct 7, 2025
Janice Marie Johnson, age 87, of Upson, WI, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Jan was born on May 28, 1938, in Milwaukee, WI. At the age of 15, she moved to Upson, where she attended and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School, Class of 1956. She began...
Patricia Frances Stever
Oct 4, 2025
Patricia F. (Nagro) Stever, 75, of Montreal, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.
Patricia was born on October 6, 1949, in Ironwood, the daughter of John and Bridget (Borca) Nagro. She was a 1967 graduate of J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley. On October 11, 1969, Patricia was united in marriage to...
Gloria M. Stella
Sep 26, 2025
Gloria M. Stella, 79, of Hurley, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Gloria was born on May 30, 1946, to Italo and Mary (Minelli) Stella in Ironwood. She was a graduate of J.E Murphy High School.
Gloria enjoyed the simple joys of life, including plastic canvassing, playing Bingo, cheering on the Green Bay...
Kristina S. Skaggs
Sep 20, 2025
Kristina S. Skaggs, age 48, of Ironwood, and formerly of Brea, California, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
She was born on October 8, 1976, in California to Paul Skaggs and Mary Dennison. Kristina had a big heart and a fun-loving spirit. She was an avid fan of the LA Angels, enjoyed...
Lisa Mae Besaw (Thurk)
Sep 11, 2025
Lisa (Thurk) Besaw, age 64, of Mercer, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Born on May 13, 1961, in the Sugar Bush area to Russell and Phyllis (Guyette) Thurk, Lisa grew up with a strong work ethic and a love for family that carried throughout her life. After graduating from New London High School, she...
Eric Stanley Oman
Sep 6, 2025
Eric Stanley Oman, 96, a beloved long-time resident of Ironwood, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025, at The Shores of Lake Phalen in Maplewood, Minnesota, surrounded by family. Born the eldest of six children to Stanley and Frances Oman, Eric lived a life rooted in craftsmanship, community, and family.
In July 1955, Eric married Norma...
Dolores Ann Stevens (Bulinski)
Sep 5, 2025
Dolores Ann (Bulinski) Stevens, age 94, passed from our earthly life and into the kingdom of heaven in the early morning hours of September 5th, surrounded by her family. She was a current resident of Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Dolores was born on December 17th, 1930, in Ironwood, MI, to Peter and Regena (Dudra) Bulinski...
Richard Conrad Michaels
Sep 3, 2025
Richard Michaels passed away on September 3 in Wausau, Wisconsin, after having lived a full life of 99 years.
He was the son of Samuel and Helen (Satut), Lebanese immigrants who settled in Ironwood in pursuit of the American dream, to forge a better life for their eventual eight children, all of whom preceded Richard in death....
Pearl Ann Hill (Mayo)
Sep 2, 2025
Pearl Ann Hill, 94, of Bessemer, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Pearl was born on March 9, 1031, to Clyde and Rose (Mercier) Mayo in Chicago, Illinois. Pearl enjoyed cooking, tending to her garden and making flower arrangements, and crafts. She was an avid golfer and golfed into her mid-80s.
...
Daniel Thomas Butkiewicz
Aug 30, 2025
Daniel Thomas Butkiewicz (70), of Montreal, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Ironwood, Michigan. He was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on Halloween of 1954; which always made sense, because he had a way of bringing mischievous fun everywhere he went.
My dad grew up in Gary, Indiana with his adoptive parents, Chester and...
Kai Snellman Bjorkquist
Aug 23, 2025
Kai Snellman Bjorkquist, 81, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.
Kai was born on September 8, 1943, in Ironwood to Arvid M. and Ella S. (Snellman) Bjorkquist. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School and earned an associate's degree from Gogebic Community College in Ironwood....
Paulette Ann Sampson
Aug 16, 2025
Paulette Ann Sampson had her deepest desire come to pass on Saturday, August 16, 2025, when she peacefully left this world, with her devoted husband by her side, to go home.
She was born on December 27, 1942, the third of eight children, in Negaunee, Michigan, to Paul and Helen Smith, of whom she has two surviving...
Frank Joseph Tarantino Jr.
Aug 10, 2025
Frank Joseph Tarantino Jr., 76, of Mercer, Wisconsin, formerly of Champaign, Illinois, and Tuscola, Illinois, passed away at home on August 10, 2025.
Frank was born in Chicago on April 13th, 1949, the eldest son of Frank and Florence (Special) Tarantino.
Frank graduated from St. Laurence High School in Oak Lawn, IL, and attended Eastern...
Heidi Marie Lehto (Dumke)
Aug 5, 2025
Ironwood – Heidi Marie Lehto, 58, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisc.
She was born on July 10, 1967, in Laona, Wisc., to the late Howard and Donna (Brooks) Dumke.
Heidi cheered with passion for the Green Bay Packers, sang along to every Garth Brooks...
Novella Jean Bartol (Dubay)
Jul 30, 2025
Novella Jean Bartol, age 94, died on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Novella was born in Van Buren, Maine, to Louis and Alma (Sirois) Dubay on February 23, 1931.
Novella attended school in Van Buren until moving to Portland, Maine, where she graduated from Cathedral High School.
Novella joined the Women's Army Corp (WACs)...
Marian D. Pavlovich (Gust)
Jul 5, 2025
Marian Pavlovich, age 93, long-time Ironwood resident, passed away on July 5, 2025 in Chanhassen, Minnesota where she had lived since 2020.
Born on May 5, 1932, Marian was the eldest child of Anton and Rose (Zarimba) Gust. She credited her parents for her deep faith and commitment to family and helping others. Her years growing up...
Lila Irene Sorvari (Hakala)
Jun 27, 2025
Lila Sorvari, 104, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Villa Maria Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Lila was born on January 29, 1921, in the town of Carey, the daughter of the late Ed and Mary (Flankilla) Hakala. She was united in marriage to Walter Sorvari, who preceded her in death in...
