Mary Kay Germain
October 26, 1949 – January 11, 2025
Lifelong Engadine resident, Mary Kay Germain, 75, died Saturday morning, January 11, 2025 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry.
Born October 26, 1949 in Manistique, daughter of the late Louis and Blanche (Johnson) Vesel, Mary was a graduate of Engadine High School.
Mary started working at the United States Postal Service in 1970. She retired as Post Mistress from the local post office in Engadine, Michigan in 2004 after 34 years of employment. Mary enjoyed visiting with her customers and was a great civil servant.
She was a dedicated member of the Catholic Church, teaching youth religion classes and volunteering as an Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Lourdes. Mary’s faith was important to her and was demonstrated by how she lived.
She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 290. Mary volunteered with family and friends at fish fry’s during the summer months.
She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, picking berries and making jam for her family. She would often sit on her porch in the afternoon reading. She enjoyed seeing her neighbors, visiting with her sister Deb often playing cards or games.
Marv and Mary were lovingly married for over 55 years. The couple was inseparable and truly enjoyed each other’s company. She lived in Engadine all her life with the exception of three months each winter that she and Marv spent together in Orange Beach, Alabama. They enjoyed spending time together in the sun and going out to dinner with the other “snowbirds”.
Mary’s greatest joy was her children and time spent with her five grandchildren. She would do anything for them and always put their needs before her own.
There were countless hours spent watching sporting events, concerts, and family dinners. Mary was so excited to meet her first great grandchild in February but will forever be her guardian angel.
In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her brother Thomas Vesel.
Survivors include her loving husband Marvin Germain of Engadine; daughter Tonya and Mark Ruotsala of Sault Ste. Marie; son Chad and Tracy (McEvers) Germain of Engadine; grandchildren Abby (Germain) and Zac Streeter, Nolan Ruotsala, Luke Germain, Adam Ruotsala and Eli Germain; sister Debra King (Vesel); nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Monday, January 20, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Naubinway. A Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Mary will follow at 11:00 am at the church with Fr. Frank Ricca officiating.
Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation in Mary’s loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Marion Rosetta Owen
March 13, 1943 – January 6, 2025
Marion Rosetta Owen, 81, of Curtis, died Monday, January 6, 2025, at her recent residence in Manteno, Illinois with her daughter.
Born March 13, 1943 in Curtis, daughter of the late Harold Sanford and Charlotte (Anderson) Sanford, Marion attended Portage Township Schools until high school and then attended high school in Manistique.
Marion worked as a medical biller for McClaren Hospital in Flint, Michigan for 30 years, until retirement. Marion had many hobbies and interests before and after retirement: Camping, sewing, crafting, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Marion is preceded in death by her husband Richard Dale Owen, her sibling Harold (Sonny) Sanford and her son Gregory Koontz.
Survivors include her children Bill (Sherrie Berry) Koontz of Flint, Teresa (Bill) King of LaValle, Wisconsin, Terri (Timothy) Geeding of Manteno, Illinois and Dan Owen of Lawrenceville, Georgia; grandchildren Sam Geeding, Ben Geeding, Jennifer (Kyle) Eubanks, Crystal Thomas, Heather (Ryan) Neitzel and Crystal (Matthew) Smith; great-grandchildren Solomon Eubanks, Isaiah Eubanks, Shelby Neitzel, Ashley (Trevor) Kaiser, Dakota Neitzel, Kyle (Ryann-Lynn) Smith, Joshua (Veda Melody) Smith and Breanna Smith; great-great grandchildren Kaisley Kaiser, Emberley Smith, August Smith, Hayden Smith and Elijah Smith; sibling Carol (Tom) Pillars of Paw Paw, Michigan.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday May 30, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Curtis Baptist Church. Funeral services celebrating the life of Marion will follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Ray White presiding. Interment will follow at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Curtis, Michigan.
Memorials may be directed to Curtis Baptist Church PO Box 67, W17066 Main Street, Curtis, Michigan 49820 in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Donald Wayne Kerridge
April 15, 1955 – December 21, 2024
Donald Wayne Kerridge, 69, from Garnet, Michigan passed away Saturday, December 21, 2024 just before midnight at Golden Leaves Living Center in Newberry. He had been a resident there since May 2022 where he had been receiving great care and lots of love from the staff.
Don was born April 15, 1955 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing to the late Lee and Shirley (Peters) Kerridge.
Most of Don’s life was spent as a carpenter and general laborer as he was skilled in many areas of construction from cement work to framing and even finish work. He also spent many years as a sawyer and cutting firewood. He loved plowing snow and also spent a few years as a volunteer fireman for Hudson Township.
He was a true outdoorsman that didn’t miss an opportunity to be out hunting deer, rabbits and grouse. He was also a keeper of many “secret” spots for mushrooms, berries and the best fishing holes. His love for the outdoors found him lifelong friendships with lots of folks from out of the area that came up to share in the same activities. Attention to detail in his care for wild game was also a thing he took great pride in.
DK as he was known by many of his friends and family will always be remembered as one of the toughest guys around. His strength was reflected as early as high school football and continued with his work in the woods and on the jobsite.
Born to a family with seven siblings and two adopted, his family extends deep including those who preceded him- Karl Kerridge, and Debbie Carlson. Living family is Joann Kerridge, Steve (Deb), Larry (Barb), Sue Crittenden, Cindy Niskala, Harvey Peters, and Mickie Darnell. Don and his former wife Karen (Derusha) had two children, Lance and Whittney. Grandchildren are Ryley Kerridge and Ava Outwater from Lance and wife Ashley, and Whittney is expecting a daughter with Jason Jorgensen.
Don was cremated and his remains will be spread in some of his favorite spots in the wild and at his property in Garnet. A celebration of life will be held in the spring so friends and family can gather to share stories and joy in remembrance of DK.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Eileen Ada Williams
July 12, 1938 – December 26, 2024
Lifelong resident of Engadine, Eileen Ada Williams, 86, died Thursday December 26, 2024.
Born July 12, 1938 in Newberry, daughter of the late Edwin and Ida (Mielke) Nichols, Eileen was a 1956 graduate of Engadine High School.
On September 19, 1958 Eileen Nichols married Paul Williams at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, making Engadine their home. The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September of 2023 with all their children and families in attendance.
Eileen enjoyed quilting with friends and crocheting. She made dozens of crocheted hats over the years and donated them to hospitals for their cancer patient’s use. She and her husband Paul spent many years square dancing with friends and often times hosted dances in their barn, especially during many years of family reunions.
In addition to her parents, Eileen is preceded in death by her husband Paul and sister Joyce Raupp.
Survivors include her sons Arthur (Marcia) of Troy, Michigan, George (Gloria) of San Jose, California, Richard of San Jose, California, and Michael (Michelle) of Almont, Michigan; grandchildren Evan Williams and Christina Williams; sisters Betty (Les) Foster and Nancy Hall.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday, April 4, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Engadine. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Eileen will follow at 11:30 am at the church with Pastor Kyle Keuhl officiating.
Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Betty Jane Varty
January 17, 1944 – January 9, 2025
Longtime Rexton resident, Betty Jane Varty, 80, died Thursday morning, January 9, 2025 at MyMichigan Medical Center-Sault Ste. Marie.
Born January 17, 1944 in Southfield, daughter of the late Raymond and Helen (Allen) Jourden, Betty moved to the Rexton area in her youth and was a high school graduate.
Betty was employed as a cook at several area restaurants for several years until her retirement. Betty enjoyed spending time with her family and crocheting.
In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her husband Francis “Butch” Varty on June 24, 2006, son James Varty, grandson Jourden Varty, and sisters Rosemary Livermore and Prebble Browning.
Survivors include her loving children Roberta (Ron) Lee of Drummond Island, Frank (Roberta) Varty of Rexton, Howard Varty of Rexton, and Francis Varty of Rexton; eight grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; brother Russell Jourden of Trout Lake.
A celebration of life service for Betty will be held in the spring of 2025 at the Rexton Christian Fellowship Church with interment at Maplewood Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Rexton Christian Fellowship Church in care of CFC, PO Box 127, Naubinway, Michigan 49762 or at www.cfcmi.com in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.