Larry A. Johnson Sr.
January 23, 1953 – December 30, 2025
Lifelong Newberry resident, Larry Allen Johnson Sr., died Tuesday evening December 30, 2025 at his residence. Larry was born January 23, 1953 in Newberry, son of the late Theodore and Juanita (Rodgers) Johnson and a graduate of Newberry High School.
Larry was well known for his mastery in Stone Masonry and in the building industry. He was a true Renaissance man when it came to his love of the outdoors, the local wildlife and the Upper Peninsula. During the winter he was a logging Sawyer, a trapper and a maple syrup tapper. During the summer you could find him walking along the shore of Lake Superior collecting agates or out on the river fishing for trout. When he was relaxing it would include a good book, a beer and his fire.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Juanita Johnson, and his brothers, Ivan and David Johnson.
Survivors include his sons, Larry (Tara) Johnson Jr. of Newberry and Ted (Elizabeth) Johnson of Muskegon; his daughters Nina Madden and Jody Sprite all of Spring Lake, Michigan; siblings Dan Johnson of Newberry, Chris Johnson of Lakefield, Lynn Salter of Newberry, Cindy Houser of Michigan, Marie Nicholson of Newberry and Lorraine Duff of Michigan; his three grandchildren Kennedy and Silas Johnson both of Muskegon, Anthony (Amanda) Griffin of Newberry; his great granddaughter Ayala Kay Griffin of Newberry.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. A gathering of family and friends celebrating the life of Larry will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, with a date and time to be announced.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
LaRaine E. Wiggins
January 10, 1933 – January 6, 2026
Our Mom, LaRaine E. Wiggins (Erskine), was born on January 10, 1933 and passed away quietly on January 6, 2026 just 4 days shy of her 93rd birthday. She was born on a dairy farm in Allenville, Michigan next to her great grandfather JD Erskine’s General Store to the late Jack and Violet Erskine (Ringler) and graduated from LaSalle High School of St. Ignace.
LaRaine married Skip Wiggins of Carp River, Michigan in 1958 and they spent 67 happy years together. Mom worked as a bank teller for 35 years at the First National Bank of St. Ignace, Newberry State Bank and Tahquamenon Credit Union. Whenever we went for a visit to the bank, the line was always the longest at her window as everyone in town loved her stories of their family members, their occupations, where they grew up and lived their lives and of course her tips on banking. She had a heart of an angel! She was also employed as cashier at Treasure Island, the Indian Village, Castle Rock and the Casino as she was a lifetime member of the Chippewa Tribe. Mom also served many years on the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Newberry.
Her first love and compassion were sewing as she had a keen sense for color, patterns and design. She was a self-taught seamstress who could put 2 patterns together or design her own. Mom owned 8 sewing machines and especially loved her ancient commercial singer as she was able to wield leathergoods on it as well as the Dacron sails for my Dad’s handcrafted boats Oden and the JaniDan, thick curtains, and miles of bunting for her son’s exhibit tables. She also sewn many lovely clothes for her daughter, grandchildren, family, friends and even helped with the Christmas bells and stars downtown.
She and my Dad built many beautiful homes together including their cherished cabin of 60 years on Brevoort Lake where they hosted both sides of the family and friends at many corn roasts, snowmobiling, skiing, swimming, speed boating and sailing. One of their favorite pastimes was square dancing and they belonged to the St. Ignace and Newberry Chapters. Mom always wore handmade beautiful, hooped gowns and western shirts for Dad that they always adorned with bolo ties to dance the night away.
In addition to her parents, LaRaine is preceded in death by her husband Skip Wiggins; granddaughter Bethany King, her older brothers Jack (Geneva) Erskine, Marvin (Marion) Erskine, Vern (Vonnie) Erskine, Glen (Minnie) Erskine and Ralph (Yvonne) Erskine.
Survivors include her daughter Janice (Glen) Pittman of Newberry; her son Daniel (Dr. Cyndi) Wiggins of Marquette; grandchildren Colton Wiggins of Marquette; Chelsea Wiggins (Nick Kopylec) of Orlando, Florida; Heather (Greg) Mannisto of Chatham; Sabrina (Clint) Tyner of Chatham; Rachel (Don) Shope of Rapid River; and Glen Pittman Jr. of Escanaba; great grandchildren Paavo Mannisto and Tuuli Mannisto of Chatham, Lucy Tyner and Stormy Tyner of Chatham; grandson-in-law Lee King and many loving nieces and nephews.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. LaRaine will be laid to rest at the Caffey Cemetery in Rexton at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the Straits Area Senior Living Community where Mom resided happily for the past 6 months. An exceptional caring assisted living at 255 South Airport Road, St. Ignace, MI 49781.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
“We would like to think that Dad swept Mom away on his boat of gold and they are sailing the heavens together.”
Michael Allen Ocko
September 16, 1959 – December 28, 2025
Michael Allen Ocko, age 66, of Engadine, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025. Born in Flint, Michigan on September 16, 1959, Michael was preceded in death by his loving parents, Paul and Pride (Biddle) Ocko, and his brother Eric Halttunen.
Michael touched countless lives throughout his life and work. Whether operating a piece of farm equipment, navigating excavating machinery, or clearing roads with a snowplow, you could always find him behind the wheel of some machine – doing what he loved and giving his very best. His presence on the job site was marked not only by his skill but by his generous spirit and friendly smile.
He had a big heart, was kind and caring, and could often be recognized by his two rosy cheeks and warm laugh. Michael loved to chat with everyone he met – whether at a job site, around the table, or at co-op gatherings. He made friends easily and treasured the many great people he met along the way in his line of work, forming bonds that lasted a lifetime.
Michael is survived by his siblings Mary (Mike) Ocko, Richard (Kathleen) Ocko, Thomas (Kathy) Ocko, James (Collette) Ocko, Susanne Ocko-Halttunen, and his brother and longtime friend Paul Achatz. He also leaves behind many cherished friends, nieces, nephews, and family members who will miss his stories, his laughter, and his generous heart.
Michael’s legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the friendships he forged, and the kindness he shared so freely.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. A Memorial Mass celebrating Michael’s life will be held in the spring of 2026 at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway, with a date and time to be announced. Rite of Committal will follow at the Engadine Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Linda Rae Grant
December 18, 1944 – January 11, 2026
Linda Rae Grant, 81, of Newberry, died Sunday morning January 11, 2026 at United Hospice in Marlette, Michigan. Linda was born December 18, 1944 in Mount Clemens, daughter of the late Eugene and Dorothy (Andrews) Schmid.
Linda was a graduate of Farwell High School and, following graduation, she married her late husband Gail F. Grant. She resided in Mayville, Michigan where they raised three children together before moving to Newberry in 1996.
Linda dedicated her life helping and serving her community in numerous ways. She was a founder of the Sunflower Festival in Mayville, a lifelong officer of the VFW, and a proud member of the Sheriff Auxiliary/Search and Rescue. She was a member of the Newberry United Methodist Church where she dedicated herself to helping in any way she could. Linda enjoyed crocheting, reading, a lover of nature, rock picker, enjoying summers camping in her free time but most of all sitting down with babies in her lap getting cuddles and giggles.
In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by her husband Gail on July 27, 1998, long term partner Kim Eddy, grandson Brandon and great grandson Xavier.
She is survived by her three children Wayne Grant of Newberry, Michigan, Jennifer Gentry of Silverwood, Michigan and Daniel (Cathy) Grant of Oxford, Michigan; grandchildren Allison (Michael) Laudenslager of Newberry, Michigan, Charlies (Leslie) Grant of Fairbanks, Alaska, Breanna Gentry of Silverwood, Michigan, Andrew (Cayla) Grant of Oxford, Michigan, Makayla McIngvale of Michigan, Morgan (Edward) Vince of Oxford, Michigan, Elizabeth (Hudson) Butler of Oxford, Michigan, Danny Grant of Oxford, Michigan and Robert (Jake) Edwards of Lapeer. Linda also has nine beautiful great grandchildren with one on the way. She had a few chosen children and grandchildren that she loved just as much.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday, January 16, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry. Funeral services celebrating the life of Linda will follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Nancy Barkat officiating. Interment will take place in the spring of 2026 at the Forest Home Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry in Newberry is assisting the family.
