Annabell McNamara
February 18, 1938 – March 3, 2022
Lifelong Newberry resident, Annabell McNamara, 84, died Thursday March 3, 2022 at her residence.
Born February 18, 1938 in Newberry, daughter of the late Charles and Hazel (Demarest) Ash, Annabell was a graduate of Newberry High School.
On March 7, 1959, Annabell married Jesse N. McNamara. In addition to being a homemaker raising her family, Annabell was employed as a Nurse’s Aide at Golden Leaves Living Center for several years until her retirement in 2000. Her hobbies included quilting, gardening and baking.
In addition to her parents, Annabell is preceded in death by her husband Jesse on January 13, 2002 and siblings Nathan Ash, Roger Ash, Charles Ash, Barbara Brown and Marge Borglund.
Survivors include her children Eldon (Evelyn) McNamara, Deborah Carlson, and William (Kathy) McNamara all of Newberry; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; siblings Beverly (Rick) Elsner of Newberry, Bernard (Rhonda) Ash of Marquette, Wayne Ash of Newberry and Linda (Tom) Vallier of Engadine; several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held in the spring/summer of 2022 at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry.
Memorials may be directed to the Tahquamenon Area Senior Citizens in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
David J. Shields III
July 19, 1988 – February 27, 2022
David James Shields lll, age 33 of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan passed away on February 27, 2022.
On July 19, 1988, David was born in Phoenix, Arizona to parents Robert “Rob” James Shields and Jacqueline “Jackie” Robin Perron.
David grew up in Phoenix, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where he graduated with the class of 2007 from Sault Area High School. After graduation, he made his family proud by joining the United States Marine Corps, which included a tour of duty to Iraq “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and a Peacekeeping Mission in South America.
David became a father in 2010 to James Michael Shields who was the light of his life.
After returning home from the Marine Corp., he began working at Mountain Stone constructing breakwalls and then construction with the Sault Tribe. Most recently, he had been working for Nomad Construction side-by-side with his father Rob and his brother Michael. David was also a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
David was a fun-loving guy who enjoyed socializing and always had a great story to share. He had an incredible smile that stole hearts and brought comfort around the world. Whenever David was around you were likely to be laughing and sure to be included. David always made everyone feel important. Any free time David had was spent at Sarna Obuz “Camp”. David enjoyed spending time outdoors: snowshoeing, hunting, fishing and having HUGE bonfires. He enjoyed four wheeling, boating, snowmobiling and shooting skeet with his son, family and friends.
David was someone who would go out of his way for others, always willing to help in any situation, caring for everyone around him.
David is survived by his son, James Michael Shields; father, Rob (Andrea Kempf) Shields of Sault Ste. Marie; mother, Jackie (Rick) Perron of Orlando, Florida; brothers, Robert “Robbie” (Amy) Shields of Sault Ste. Marie, Michael (Destiny McKechnie) Johanson of Sault Ste. Marie, and Ricky “Kishka” Perron of Orlando, Florida; sisters; Lindsay Perron of Orlando, Florida and Shelby (CJ) Wilkins of Sault Ste. Marie; grandmother, Mildred “Gran” Krzycki of Sault Ste. Marie, niece, Kylee Shields; nephew, Jaxten Wilkins as well as many other beloved cousins including his good friends and cousins Dorthy and Steven Wilson. There are so many friends and family members near and far who love David that it would be impossible to list them all. David leaves behind many who will miss him including his dogs Chevy Rhonda Shields ll and Uncle Fester.
David was preceded in death by his grandparents; John Krzycki, David Shields, and Don and Mary (Shields) Theut.
A Celebration of Life for David will take place on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at the Sault Tribe Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial and Cultural Building, 11 Ice Circle Chi Mukwa, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. With visitation from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and the service beginning at 2:30 pm with a luncheon to follow.
Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.
Clarence J. Koontz
January 20, 1952 – February 26, 2022
Clarence J. Koontz, 70, of Newberry, died Saturday afternoon February 26, 2022 at his residence in the presence of his loving wife, Rae, and the care of North Woods Home Care and Hospice.
Clarence was born January 20, 1952, in Gladwin. He was the youngest son of the late Jay and Donna (Geiling) Koontz. He is survived by his older sisters Sally Looker and Darlene Hillier and sister-in-law Kelly Zoellner. He leaves behind countless friends and acquaintances that will miss him dearly. He touched many people over the years.
He spent his early years in Gladwin farming alongside his father while also working at Simpson Industries. When the farm was sold, he retired from Simpson and moved here to the Upper Peninsula. He started working for Tahquamenon Riverboat Tours led by Kris and Dixie Stuart. He spent the days in the woods alongside the river, fed the bears, watched the wild animals come and go, and pretty much worked hard and enjoyed the change in his life. Clarence was a very kind and generous man. He would help a friend at the drop of a hat with no thanks expected.
Clarence loved the outdoors, hunting deer and bear, and knew many people in the U.P. so it wasn’t a hard move for him to make. His family had some cabins by Halfway Lake so they were no stranger to the area. Eventually he built a home for himself and settled into life here and become a true Yooper. His wife would affectionately call him “Chainsaw Willy” because he didn’t go very long without a chainsaw in his hand.
Clarence became a fixture at the Riverboat Tours and worked there for over 20 years. He became good friends with the Stewarts and could work circles around men half his age. But eventually he was slowed by cancer. He continued to work when he could while he fought his battle. He was successful for over 4 years and the cancer was gone. Unfortunately it returned for the third time. Clarence decided that enough was enough.
He will be missed by many, thought of often, and remembered by those who knew him well.
A gathering of family and friends celebrating the life of Clarence will take place Saturday April 30, 2022 at 3:00 pm at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry.
Memorials may be directed to North Woods Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 307, Manistique, Michigan 49854 in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
