Patricia Jo Miller
September 14, 1961 – June 30, 2024
62 Years Old
A Soul Never Dies… It Just Returns Home
It is with a heavy heart we are announcing the passing of Patricia Jo Miller while at the hospital in Saginaw from a blood infection – “sepsis”.
Patti was born in Newberry, but her paternal grandmother, Sarah (Hardy) Miller, had helped establish Dollarville. She was one of the four matriarchs of Dollarville, operating the Mills Company Store and Post Office.
While alive, Patti got to visit many different relatives in many areas of Finland, a trip she greatly enjoyed. Patti worked in Washington, DC for a time at USA Today. She later moved to Everett, WA and worked for many years at the Alderwood Water District before returning to Newberry in 2016.
She is survived by her mother, Anna Marie (Hautala) Miller of Newberry and sister Gayle Ann Miller of McMillan.
Patti was recently preceded in death by both of her brothers, James H. Miller Jr. on May 19, 2024 and Richard W. Miller on April 9, 2024. She was also preceded in death by her father, James H. Miller Sr., paternal grandparents Herbert and Glenadine (Sampsell) Miller of Dollarville and Eero J. and Jennie S. (Pohja) Hautala of Newberry.
We would like to extend a very special Thank You and Appreciation to Melvin Davis and Lisa Tann from Newberry for all their support and friendship with Patti through very difficult times.
Per her request, Patti will be cremated and no services will be planned.
Donald J. Eggleston
May 24, 1937 – July 7, 2024
Donald Jay Eggleston, 87, of Newberry and formerly of Rockford, passed away Sunday morning July 7, 2024 at his residence under the care of North Woods Hospice. Don was born May 24, 1937 in Grand Rapids, (a twin) to Charles and Clara (Nelson) Eggleston.
He had many farm jobs as a young man and worked at the following places over his life time, Wolverine World Wide, Dairy Isle, Superior Studs Mill, Beaulieu Furniture Store, Beaulieu Funeral Home and Louisiana Pacific.
On June 27, 1964, Don married Myrna L. Fair and just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Also surviving is his daughter Jodi Beth (Phillip) Sinclair and one granddaughter Joy Noelle Aukerman all of Bellevue; twin sister Donna Kossen, sister Jackie Houghton, brother Melvin (Mary) Eggleston, sister Mary Kay Doane, brother-in-law John (Rita) Fair, sister-in-law’s Arlene House, Gayle Rodgers and many nieces and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Robert (Rose) Eggleston and Jack Eggleston; brother-in-law’s James Fair, Gary Fair, Tom Kossen and Robert Houghton.
Don will be interred at Forest Home Cemetery with a celebration of life to be scheduled at a later date at the First Baptist Church of Newberry where he has been a member since 1971.
Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist church of Newberry in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Kevin R. Erickson
October 29, 1957 – July 10, 2024
Former longtime Luce County Sheriff, Kevin Rodman Erickson (Ret.), 66, of Newberry, died Wednesday evening, July 10, 2024 at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey.
Born October 29, 1957 in Newberry, son of the late Harold and Jacquelyn (Heath) Erickson, Kevin was a 1976 graduate of Newberry High School and a graduate of Northwestern Community College with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.
Kevin’s career in law enforcement started in 1978 with the Luce County Sheriff’s Department at the age of 21 and was appointed Sheriff at the age of 22, making him the youngest sheriff in the history of Michigan. He continued to win every election thereafter and was the longest seated sheriff at the time of his retirement in 2016 with 37 years of service to Luce County. Kevin also served as a firearms instructor at the Northern Michigan University’s Police Academy and was a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Following his retirement, Kevin remained active with security with Pinkerton’s and Enbridge, Foster’s Ace Hardware and as the Luce County Emergency Manager and 911 Coordinator.
Kevin was a member/volunteer of the Michigan Sheriffs Association, Luce County Search and Rescue, Eva Burrell Animal Shelter, Luce County 4-H, Tahquamenon Little League, Tahquamenon Area Clay Crushers, Luce County Sheriff Department Auxiliary, Luce County Sheriff Department Posse and lead the Newberry Fourth of July parades with his granddaughter Jacquie.
Kevin enjoyed hunting with his dog, fishing, gunsmithing and reloading, competitive shooting and shooting sports, archery, going to camp and being outdoors.
In addition to his parents, Kevin is preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law Paul and Patricia Hayes.
Survivors include his loving wife, Denise, of Newberry; son Doug (Kay) Erickson of Vancouver, Washington; siblings Karen Erickson of Cape Coral, Florida, Kim (Charlie) Anderson of Newberry and Kristin (Steve) Derusha of McMillan; grandchildren Michael (Aidan) Erickson, River Erickson and Jacquelyn Erickson; great-grandchildren James and Charles Erickson; nephews and nieces Katie (Alexis Munoz) Chambers, Kacey (Brad) Talley, John (Kristin Moffitt) Derusha, Sam Derusha, Angel Hayes and great-niece Mia Munoz; step-son Charles Story of Gaylord; brothers-in-law Danny Hayes and Paul Hayes both of Grand Blanc.
Friends may call at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry on Friday July 19, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and also Saturday July 20, 2024 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. A memorial service celebrating the life of Kevin will follow at 1:00 pm at the church with Pastor Melinda VanderSys officiating.
Memorials may be directed to the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter, 6091 West US Highway 2, Manistique, Michigan 49854 or to Pathways Community Mental Health, 14126 County Road 428, Newberry, Michigan 49868 in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Robert F. Cameron
May 10, 1948 – July 10, 2024
Robert Francis Cameron, 76, died in Marquette, Michigan, on July 10, 2024, from complications of lung cancer. Bob was born in Newberry on May 10, 1948, to Robert Loren Cameron and Melba Florence (Koski) Cameron. Except for four years studying English and Secondary Education at Northern Michigan University, and later when earning his M.A. in counseling, Bob spent his entire life in Newberry. Bob was a third-generation resident of Newberry and devoted most of his life to improving the village, helping its citizens, and teaching and mentoring its youth.
Bob began teaching at Newberry High School in the fall of 1970 and continued to do so until his retirement in 2013, having spent forty-three years introducing three generations of high school students to the intricacies of English grammar and to the nuances of literary classics such as “The Allegory of the Cave” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” To Bob, teaching was much more than a job; it defined his entire being and reflected his love of learning. Many people can remember a lone light shining from “Mr. Cameron’s” third floor classroom long after dark, as he read freshman journals, graded senior essays, or prepared for another lesson on “Romeo and Juliet.” Bob also found time to coach JV and Varsity football, help with student drama productions, and assist with the Veterans Day assembly.
Outside of the classroom, Bob served as the elected president of the local teachers’ union, the Tahquamenon Area Education Association, for almost forty years. In that position he advocated tirelessly for workers’ rights for teachers and for quality education for students. He also served as a member of the board of directors for the Michigan Education Association where he performed the same advocacy representing the Eastern Upper Peninsula at both the state and national levels.
Finally, Bob was elected to be the mayor of the Village of Newberry, a position he held from 1988 to 2007. During this time he worked with Governor Granholm and the state legislature to help prevent the closure of Newberry Correctional Facility and secured grants to improve Newberry’s infrastructure. During much of this period, he also served as a board member for the Michigan Municipal League.
Bob Cameron’s entire life was devoted to the people of Newberry and the surrounding area. His was a life of service in many capacities, a life of giving to others, and a life of humility. He was a very private man, but one who influenced many people during his journey upon this earth.
Bob is preceded in death by his sister Karen and by his parents. He is survived by five cousins, a wide circle of friends, and by the thousands of students and athletes that he taught, coached, and mentored.
At Bob’s request, there will be no funeral or graveside service. Instead, you are asked to remember Bob as you best knew him; remember him as your teacher, your coach, your advocate, your mentor, or your friend. Live your life as he would want you to and pay forward the kindness, respect, and humility that he showed to everyone he met.
A special thank you goes out to those in the community who helped Bob in his final months and to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the emergency room at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital and at Marquette Hospital, all of whom were so kind and decent to Bob during his last hours.
Should you wish, memorial donations may be made in Robert Cameron’s name to the Tahquamenon Education Foundation so that his dedication to learning and to educating our community’s young people may be carried on.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
