Richard P. Winkler
February 20, 1932 – July 25, 2022
Longtime Paradise resident and business owner, Richard Porter Winkler, 90, died Monday evening July 25, 2022 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry. Richard was born February 20, 1932 in Cheboygan, Michigan, son of the late Porter and Monica (LeDuc) Winkler.
On February 25, 1949, Richard enlisted in the United States Army and served overseas during the Korean War. In September of 1950, he was wounded in the line of duty in Chin-Ju, South Korea and honorably discharged on June 23, 1952 attaining the rank of Private First Class and recipient of the Purple Heart of Valor.
Following his honorable discharge, Richard began his employment career with Lear-Sigler in the HVAC in the division overseeing a thirteen state area. In 1968, he and Betty moved to Paradise. Richard first owned and operated the Paradise Cafe for five years until its sale. This started his entrepreneurial career owning and operating several other businesses including the construction of the Tahquamenon Camper store. Richard was civic minded serving as a Township Supervisor, Assessor and was instrumental in starting the snowmobile trail system in the Paradise area for the fledgling snowmobiling industry. Richard loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting and fishing. He was also a longtime member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Paradise.
In addition to his parents, Richard is preceded in death by two siblings.
Survivors include his loving wife, the former Elizabeth “Betty” Landrie, whom he married on April 4, 1952; children Nancy Conway of Saginaw, Diane (Kurt) Beattie of Goodland, Florida, Richard (Laurie) Winkler of Brimley, Lisa (Anthony) Gomez-Mesquita of Ludington, Monica McCarthy of Naples, Florida and Michael (Danyl) Winkler of Gwinn; 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. Rite of Committal services with military honors conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard will take place Wednesday August 31, 2022 at 12:00 noon at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Cemetery in Paradise with Fr. Jacek Wtyklo officiating.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Cathy Elaine Foster
May 24, 1951 – July 28, 2022
Lifelong Newberry area resident, Cathy Elaine Foster, 71, died Thursday July 28, 2022 at her residence.
Born May 24, 1951 in Newberry, daughter of the late Erwin and Harriet (Morse) Hansen, Cathy was a 1969 graduate of Newberry High School and received a secretarial degree from Bay Mills Community College.
Cathy was a devoted homemaker raising her family in addition to employments with various businesses over the years. Cathy was a volunteer and instructor for the Portage Township and Luce County Ambulance Corp. She attended Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newberry and enjoyed reading, crocheting and knitting.
In addition to her parents, Cathy is preceded in death by her husband Michael Foster, half-brother Lester Mark and brother-in-law Ray Elkins.
Survivors include her son Erwin (Krystal) Hansen of Gould City; grandchildren Nicholas Fisher and Gregory Fisher both of Gould City; sisters Linda (Dennis Bliss) Hansen of Lakefield and Gloria Elkins of Milan, Tennessee.
Per request, cremation services were accorded with no public services scheduled.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Ronald James Renk
July 8, 1943 – July 24, 2022
Ronald James Renk, age 79, beloved spouse, father, grandfather and father-in-law, died Sunday afternoon, July 24, 2022 surrounded by family at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry, Michigan.
In the weeks prior to his passing, he made his final migration north from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas to his summer residence at Pike Lake in Luce County, Michigan where he was able to enjoy many of his favorite activities including fishing off the dock with his grandsons, Dylan (age 5) and Kelby (age 9), receiving many hugs and “I love yous” from the boys, taking nature pictures during his final walk out to Vermillion Beach on the southern shore of Lake Superior, playing “Pike Lake Rummy” with his lake neighbors, visiting with his buddies on the lake and generally tinkering around in his pole barn and sheds.
Ronald was born July 8, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, son of the late Roman and Arliene (Noll) Renk. He spent his early life in Milwaukee, WI where he met his wife, Mary (Pettit) at a dance hosted by the Young People’s Club. They married in 1965 and resided in the Milwaukee area until 1967, when they moved to Marinette, WI for Ron’s job at Scott Paper Company where he eventually became Manager of Information Technologies and Services.
During his college years, Ron was known as the Grey Fox due to his premature gray locks. However, as he matured into fatherhood and took to several years of wearing an oversized beaver pelt cowboy hat, he became affectionately known by his eldest daughter’s friends as “JR” after JR Ewing from the 80s nighttime soap, Dallas.
Ronald and Mary raised their three children Colleen, Cynthia and Keith in Marinette, WI where Ron was active in serving on the school board for Marinette Catholic Central High School and the steering committee for the implementation of the first computers at the high school. He was also active with the River City Task Force that raised funds for Marinette Civic Center’s hockey rink, pool and tennis courts and was a member of the Elks Lodge.
In 1982 Ron and Mary were introduced to Pike Lake in Luce County Michigan through their good friends Curt and Eileen Erickson. The following year they purchased property on the lake where they spent every summer until Ron’s passing. Pike Lake became the foundation for most of the fondest memories Ron’s family and many friends have of him.
In 2008, following Mary’s retirement and sale of their home in Marinette, Ronald and Mary split their time living between Pike Lake and Palmview, Texas in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Ronald was an active member of Texas Master Naturalists since 2012 and a founding member of the South Texas Border Chapter. He enjoyed playing Texas Hold ‘em, nature photography, birding, butterflying and presenting for school and nature groups about birds and butterflies.
Ronald was rarely seen without his camera hanging from his neck. He was known for his work ethic and love of ice cream and a good root beer. He was also famous among his friends for making excellent margaritas.
Ronald was a former member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission, Texas and currently attended Companions of Christ the Lamb Catholic Church in Paradise, Michigan.
Ronald is preceded in death by his parents Roman and Arliene.
Ronald is survived by his wife Mary; children Colleen (Steve) Hamlin of Suffolk, Virginia, Cynthia (Peter) Bridge of Madison, Wisconsin and Keith (Ivelisse) Renk of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; grandchildren Angela Hamlin, Tyler Hamlin, Kelby Renk and Dylan Renk; sister Jeanne Salvo of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
A Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Ronald will be held Tuesday August 2, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Companions of Christ the Lamb Chapel in Paradise with Fr. Jack Fabian celebrating. Rite of Committal will follow at the Companions of Christ the Lamb Cemetery in Paradise. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CCL, P.O. Box 12, Paradise, MI 49768.
Sympathy cards may be sent to Mary Renk, PO Box 579, Newberry, Michigan 49868.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Daniel Charles Stilson
January 9, 1956 – July 25, 2022
Former Newberry resident, Daniel Charles Stilson, 66, of Gillette, Wyoming, died Monday morning, July 25, 2022 at his residence under the loving care of his family and Campbell County Hospice.
Born January 9, 1956 in Newberry, son of the late Charles and Shirley (Puckett) Stilson, Dan was raised in Newberry and started his family there. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he drove a truck his entire life to provide for his family. Dan loved and adored his nine grandchildren, all of whom called him “Papa”, and the most important thing to him were his grandchildren’s hobbies. Dan was a friend to most everyone and, if anyone was in need, he would give the shirt off his back to help. In 2008, he moved to Gillette, Wyoming and resided there until his death.
In addition to his parents, Dan is preceded in death by the love of his life, Kimberly (Major) Stilson, who preceded him in death on September 13, 2000; nephew Jamie Foster; sister-in-law Sherry (Major) Schuler, mother-in-law Rita (Ellis) Major, father-in-law George Major.
Survivors include children George (Tianna) Stilson of Gillette, Wyoming, Lisa (Raymond) Buskirk of Germfask and David (Jodi) Stilson of Newberry; grandchildren Mercedes Stilson, Charles Buskirk, Logan Stilson, Jeremy Buskirk, George Stilson Jr, Raymond Buskirk Jr, Daniel Buskirk, Ethan Stilson and Xander Stilson; great-grandchildren Ariah Buskirk, Leah Buskirk and Wesley Buskirk; sister Kim (Clifford) Shigwadja of Newberry, sisters-in-law Pam (Jim) Foster and Georgia (Billy) French all of Newberry.
Graveside services will be held Saturday August 6, 2022 at 11:00 am at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry with Pastor Pat McNeill officiating.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
