Gerald William Pillion
Longtime Newberry resident, Gerald William Pillion, 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Golden Leaves Living Center in Newberry. Born May 11, 1940 in Iron Mountain, son of the late William and Laura (Broullire) Pillion. Jerry was a 1958 graduate of Iron Mountain High School and attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette for a year before enlisting with the United States Navy on January 7, 1960 where he served until his honorable discharge on January 6, 1966 attaining the rank of Radioman 2nd Class. Following his discharge, Jerry attended Badger Business School in Green Bay and married the former Mary Kay Lindeman of Channing. Jerry was briefly employed as a bookkeeper in Green Bay, Wisconsin. After moving to Newberry in 1968, he was employed at Superior Studs for 17 years and retired from Louisiana Pacific in 2002 after 17 years of service. He was a member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus #2929, and B.P.O.E. Lodge #1705 of Newberry. Jerry enjoyed playing golf and tennis, loved watching sports, especially the Green Bay Packers, and rarely missed a chance to be on the sidelines supporting local sporting events. Those of you that knew Jerry well knew that he loved to joke around and show us his wit and sense of humor. He is remembered with love by his children Marc (Margie) of Escanaba and Scott (Rebecca) of Lansing; grandchildren Alexis (Josh) Lewis and Riley Pillion; sister Arlene Butterfield of Iron Mountain; and mother of his children, Mary Kay Pillion of Green Bay. Preceding him in death are his parents, William and Laura and sister Betty Ann Krause. Per his request, cremation services were accorded with no public services at this time. Memorials may be directed to Golden Leaves Living Center Activity Fund, 502 West Harrie Street, Newberry, Michigan 49868 or B.P.O.E. Lodge #1705, P.O. Box 391, Newberry, Michigan 49868 in Jerry’s memory. The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff of Golden Leaves Living Center for the kindness, loving care and friendship so freely given to our father. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Mark Lawrence Turner
Lifelong Grand Rapids resident and seasonal resident of the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club, Mark Lawrence Turner, 69, died Thursday morning January 7, 2021. Born November 3, 1951 in Grand Rapids, son of the late Lawrence and Elaine (Smith) Turner, Mark was a 1969 graduate of Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids. At the age of 18, Mark started his employment career with Lear Siegler in Grand Rapids and, during this time, attended Michigan State University. He was an engineer and worked at Lear Siegler, Fireboy, Benteler Automotive, and finally retired from GE Aviation. In recent years, Mark spent time in the Upper Peninsula at the residence on the Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club. During his lifetime, he enjoyed flying, sailing, photography, astronomy, feeding birds and the general knowledge of learning things. Survivors include his loving wife, the former Mary DeJong, siblings Sharyn (Paul) Richardson of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, Lauryn (Robert) Ronis of Cleveland, Ohio and Troy (Monette) Cowan of Nashville, Tennessee; several nieces and nephews. A gathering of family and friends will take place Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am at the church with Fr. Marty Flynn officiating. Rite of Committal will take place in the spring of 2021 at the Naubinway Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required in accordance of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Memorials may be directed to Love Incorporated, Melville Street, Engadine, Michigan 49827 in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Ronda Lynn Shigwadja
Ronda Lynn Shigwadja, age 40, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center – Midland, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis, MI, on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the funeral home from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service. The service will also be live streamed on the Smith Family Funeral Home Facebook page. Ronda was born in Flint, MI on July 21, 1980, the daughter of Roger and Linda (Glenn) Pease. Ronda graduated with honors from Tahquemenon Area Schools with the class of 1998. She went on to Lake Superior State University where she received her bachelors degree in Nursing. On October 18, 2003 Ronda married William Shigwadja at St. Gregory Catholic Church, Newberry, MI. Ronda was employed as a Registered Nurse for the Mid-Michigan Health Systems (Mt. Pleasant, Alma, Midland, Breckenridge, and Shepherd). She had an amazing work ethic. Ronda was a softball mom and loved cheering on her daughters in sports they were involved in. She enjoyed being at the beach by the water and spending time in warm weather. She liked listening and singing to music while mowing the lawn, telling “short” stories, morel mushroom picking with her husband Bill and playing corn hole and games with her family. Most of all Ronda loved her family and time she spent with them. She had the ability to see good in everyone. She was a very loving, caring and patient woman who touched everyone she met. She is survived by her husband William Shigwadja of St. Louis, MI; daughters: Alyssa and Xavier Rodriguez of St. Louis, MI; Cadence Shigwadja of St. Louis, MI; and Lana Shigwadja of St. Louis, MI; parents: Roger and Karen Pease of Dimondale, MI; Linda Pease of McMillan MI; siblings: Roger and Jessica Pease of Charlotte, MI; Amanda and Trent Fraley of Charlotte, MI; Robert Wilson of Glendale, AZ; Michael Wilson of Charlotte, MI; father and mother-in-law Clifford and Kim Shigwadja of Newberry, MI; brothers and sister-in-law: Cliffton and Squeek Shigwadja of St. Ignace, MI; Robert Shigwadja of Newberry, MI; Kenneth Shigwadja of Newberry, MI; Shirley Shigwadja of Neguanee, MI; and grandmother Marilyn Sisco of Harrison, MI. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, her dog Sarge and her grandkitty Belle. She was preceded in death by her 2 brambabies, step-father Terry Carroll, grandfather James Sisco, grandmother Merle Glenn, aunt Janet Louise Freeze and uncle Jerry Glenn.
Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI.
Daniel Richard Vandercook
Daniel Richard Vandercook, 73, of Newberry, died Tuesday afternoon January 5, 2021 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Born May 16, 1947 in Highland Park, son of the late Richard and Lillian (Webb) Vandercook, Dan served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on June 30, 1967 attaining the rank of Specialist Fifth Grade. Following his discharge, Dan resided in Royal Oak and was employed as a tool and die maker for Fitzpatrick Manufacturing in Warren, Michigan. On June 24, 1972, Dan married the former Cindy Pedit in Newberry and had been of resident of Newberry since 1973. Dan was employed as a patient account representative at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital for several years until his retirement. Dan was a member of National Rifle Association and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, woodworking and tinkering on anything he could lay his hands on. In addition to his parents, Dan is preceded in death by his sister Patricia and in-laws Curt and Mary Pedit. Survivors include his loving wife, Cindy, of Newberry; son Adam (Evelynn) Vandercook of Fruitport; grandchildren Hunter Mason and Tyler Vandercook. Per his 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.
