William Fillman
March 15, 1933 – October 9, 2022
William “Billy” Fillman, 89, formerly of Engadine, passed away on Sunday morning, October 9, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.
He was born in Chicago on March 15, 1933, the son of Gustav and Amelia (Lehman) Fillman.
On, October 4, 1952, Billy married the former Helen (Borak) Fillman. She preceded him in death on June 23, 2020.
Billy proudly served in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in 1956.
He previously worked for Kimberly Clark and drove a logging truck for his brother Eddie. He retired from Burton Trucking in Newberry, MI in 2000.
Billy enjoyed camping, fishing, putzing around working on things, and he was always willing to help others. Billy and Helen loved wintering in Arizona for many years.
When residing in Engadine, he was devout member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church.
Among survivors include his, sons, Gus (Gail) Fillman, Tom (Michelle) Fillman all of Escanaba, and Bob (Robin) Fillman of Iron Mountain; brother, Eddie Fillman; sister, Velda Archie; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; and great grandson, Hayden Frizzell.
In keeping with Billy’s wishes no services will be held.
A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.
The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Fillman family.
Ruth Loraine Brown
April 14, 1926 – October 8, 2022
Lifelong Engadine resident, Ruth Loraine Brown, 96, died Saturday evening October 8, 2022 at the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility in Manistique.
Born April 14, 1926 in Engadine, daughter of the late Julius and Pauline (Schieske) Stelter. Ruth married Elmer Brown on November 20, 1943 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
In addition to being a homemaker raising her family, Ruth assisted her husband, Elmer, with the day-to-day operations of their farm. Ruth was a longtime member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church serving on the Ladies Aide committee, member of the ladies’ auxiliary and enjoyed cooking, catering, bingo and casino gaming.
In addition to her parents, Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Elmer on October 26, 2013, sisters Mary Jane McFarland, Elaine Williams and Margaret Everhart; son-in-law Daniel Arndt.
Survivors include her children James (Diane) Brown of Sterling Heights, Patricia Arndt of Lansing and Janet (Tom) Bigelow of Engadine; ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; siblings Julius Stelter of Illinois and Alice Feigel of Engadine; sister-in-law’s Dorothy Brown of California and Darlene Brown of St. Ignace.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday October 14, 2022 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Funeral services celebrating the life of Ruth will follow at 11:00 am at the church with Pastor Kyle Kuehl officiating. Interment will take place at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Paula Labron Smith
May 20, 1949 – October 5, 2022
Paula Labron Smith, 73, of Newberry, peacefully passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. Paula was born May 20, 1949 in Newberry, daughter of the late Charles and Catherine (Brown) Labron.
In addition to her parents, Paula is preceded in death by her infant daughter Lee Ann Smith.
She loved being a wife to her husband Roland Smith, a mother to her children Maria (Stacy) Moore and Luke (Toni) Smith, and grandmother to Trevor Moore, Spencer Moore, Lexi Smith and Leo Smith. Her grandchildren lovingly knew her as Mimi. Also surviving are her siblings, Shirley Davis, Pat (Gary) Mark, George (Linda) Labron, Chuck (Janet) Labron and Pam (Dave) Welters.
Paula graduated from Newberry High School and married Roland at the Newberry United Methodist Church. She worked as an Occupational Therapist Aide for many years.
Paula and Roland lived in North Carolina two separate times in her life, the second to be closer to her grandchildren and care for them when needed. Mimi always kept a drawer full of candy for when they would visit. She spent her last year living in her hometown of Newberry visiting with family and friends.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. Graveside services will be held in the summer of 2023 at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Cynthia Kay Brown
July 25, 1953 – September 20, 2022
Cynthia Kay Brown of Lansing passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on September 30, 2022, at the age of 69. She was born July 25, 1953 in Newberry, Michigan. The daughter of Larry and Kay (Francisco) Suboski, Cindy graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1971. She married Michael Brown of Wacousta, Michigan on April 1, 1972, celebrating 50 years of marriage this year. Cindy stayed at home to raise her son and daughter and then went back to work for the State of Michigan retiring from Lottery in 2017 as the Manager of Retailer Services. Cindy and her husband enjoyed making wooden crafts and selling them at craft shows, fishing at their vacation home on Hamlin Lake, and beagles. She also loved being in the kitchen cooking meals for everyone and keeping up on current events. She was always available to help anyone in any way she could. Cindy and her daughter graduated together from Northwood University in 2003 with bachelor’s degrees in Business administration and management.
Cindy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Michael; son, Bryan (Dawn Bender) Brown; daughter, Melissa (Ryan) Charbonneau; 5 grandchildren; close cousin, Ruth Alexander; step-sister, Molly Brown and brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces. nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Cindy will always be remembered for her good meals, quick wit, and as a loving and caring person by her family, friends, and co-workers. She touched the life of many people and will be missed by all. A private family memorial service has been held. Memorial contributions in Cindy’s name may be given to the Capital Area Humane Society. Arrangements by the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Share your memories and condolences online at www.holihanatkin.com.
Richard R. Nelson
April 18, 1946 – October 7, 2022
Lifelong Newberry resident, Richard Raymond Nelson, 76, died Friday evening October 7, 2022 at U.P. Health Systems-Marquette.
Born April 18, 1946 in Newberry, son of the late Paul and Helen (Malmberg) Nelson, Richard was a Newberry High School graduate.
Richard was formerly employed as an attendant nurse and later as a bus driver for Head Start. He enjoyed camping, spending time with his family and watching football.
In addition to his parents, Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jean Nelson, on June 10, 2019 and his children Jessica Nelson and Julie Guilmette.
Survivors include his children Amanda (Robert) Pohja of Newberry, Rick Webb of Norristown, Pennsylvania, Kevin Webb of Newberry and Lester Webb of Newberry; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; siblings Steve (Patty) Nelson of Manistee and Dennis Nelson of Newberry.
Per request, cremation services were accorded with no public services scheduled. Interment will take place at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
