William Jr. Brown
October 3, 1923 – December 17, 2022
William Jr. Brown, 99, of Curtis, died Saturday evening December 17, 2022 at Golden Leaves Living Center in Newberry.
Born October 3, 1923 in Kalamazoo, son of the late William and Helen (Hunt) Brown, William was a graduate of Parchment High School and later attended college earning a Doctrine in Podiatry. He practiced in Kalamazoo for 35 years until his retirement and moving to Curtis.
On October 25, 1969, William married the love of his life, the former Dorothy Marie Kreeger. She worked beside him as an office manager in his practice.
On February 15, 1943, William enlisted in the United States Army serving during World War II until his honorable discharge on March 21, 1945, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
In addition to his parents, William is preceded in death by his sister Trudy.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; stepchildren Christine Tigchelaar of Delton and Peter De Mink of Richland; several step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
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.
Michael J. Brow
March 26, 1938 – December 6, 2022
Michael J. Brow, 84, formerly of Lakefield, died December 6, 2022 at Medi-Lodge in Gaylord, Michigan.
Born in Cedar, he was the son of William and Genevieve (O’Brien) Brow.
Michael was a graduate of Newberry High School class of 1956. After graduation he worked for his brother Richard Brow for several years, where he learned heavy equipment operations. He then moved to Detroit, where he became a life-long member of the Operating Engineers #328. After retirement he moved to Westland.
Michael enjoyed golf and spending time on his property on Shady Lane when he came north for hunting season or vacation.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife Carol (Bowler) in 2016, and his daughter Carla Brow in 2015; siblings Donald Brow, Mary (Stan) MacCallum, Orpha (James) Fredenberg, Richard (Beverly) Brow, Ellen (Charles) Kennedy and Kathleen (Gerald) Quill; brother-in-law Joseph Przybysz, and sister-in-law Darlene Brow.
He is survived by son Donald (Deanna) Brow, grandchildren Megan Brow, Lindsey Brow, Lucas Brow all of McMillan, and Nicole Brow (Doug Young) of Alabama; great-granddaughter Leah Brow of McMillan; siblings Elmer Brow of Norway, Bernadette (Charles) Derusha of Newberry and Annette Przybysz of Houghton Lake Heights; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cremation services have been accorded with no public service scheduled. Burial will be in the spring in West Lakefield Cemetery.
Irene Adelaide Pigeon
April 21, 1935 – December 13, 2022
Irene Adelaide Pigeon, 87, of Newberry, died Tuesday morning December 13, 2022 at Newberry Assisted Living Community. Irene was a lifelong resident of Newberry and an active and faithful member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church her entire life. Born on April 21, 1935 to Joseph and Alma (Benard) Villemure, she was the 10th of 13 children and the youngest daughter.
Irene graduated in 1953 as the Valedictorian of Newberry High School and subsequently attended Sienna Heights College and the University of Michigan. After returning to Newberry and working for the First National Bank, Irene met and married Arthur Pigeon on August 31, 1963 at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. After starting their family (five children in six years), Irene finished her education/teaching degree by attending both Lake Superior State College and Northern Michigan University.
Irene worked for seven years at the Newberry State Hospital as a teacher and then was hired into the Tahquamenon Area School District where she taught as an elementary school (primarily 2nd grade) teacher until her retirement. Following retirement, Irene worked for many years as a substitute teacher and tutored many children of her former students at her home.
Throughout her lifetime, Irene enjoyed traveling the state of Michigan, and beyond, to visit her extended family and, starting in 2005, she made many trips to Nashville, Tennessee. Later in life Irene was a member of TOPS and the Red Hat Ladies Society until 2019.
Irene was a wonderful ice skater and was still able to skate into her early 80’s. She was a Master Level Knitter and many in the Newberry community have items she has crafted over the years. Irene took over making the beautiful hand knit family Christmas stockings from her sister Phyllis (Villemure) Rahilly, who preceded her in death. Irene was an avid reader and sports fan and along with a very busy life raising five children, became a loving grandmother to her only grandchild, grandson Cooper Pigeon in 2006. A huge highlight for her was watching Cooper play hockey and excel in many other sports.
In addition to her parents, Irene is preceded in death by her husband Arthur on November 16, 2011; siblings Charles, Robert (Helen), Evar (Ninabelle), Phillip (Mary), Theresa (Jack) Thomson, Marcella (Arnold) Norman, and Phyllis (Peter) Rahilly; infant brother Paul James; son-in-Law Michael Anderson
Irene is survived by her five children Marie (Eddie) Lange of Nashville, Tennessee, Terese Anderson of Newberry, Russell Pigeon of Engadine, Joseph (Shelly) Pigeon of Iron Mountain and David (Stephanie Papist) Pigeon of Newberry; grandson Cooper Pigeon of Iron Mountain; siblings Sister Paul James of Adrian, Michigan, Pete (Natalie) Villemure and Joe (Carol) Villemure all of Newberry, Matt (Betty) Villemure of Chelsea and Tom (Ann) Villemure of Hudsonville; numerous nieces and nephews as well as 2nd and 3rd generation nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Sunday December 18, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Beaulieu Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday December 19, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church with Fr. Phil Witkowski officiating. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Home Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Newberry Sports Boosters or Project Backpack in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Herbert Henry Hahn
June 11, 1930 – December 11, 2022
Longtime Engadine resident, Herbert Henry Hahn, 92, died Sunday morning December 11, 2022 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Born June 11, 1930 in Engadine, son of the late Adolph and Minnie (Schroeder) Hahn, Hebert served in the United States Army during the Korean War until his honorable discharge.
Following his discharge, Herbert moved back to Engadine and was employed as a carpenter with William Germain. In 1965, he moved downstate and was employed with General Motors in Flint for 22 years until his retirement in 1987.
Following his retirement, Herbert moved back to Engadine living with his mother, Minnie, and assisting in the daily operations of the family farm. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post #290 in Engadine. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and gardening.
In addition to his parents, Herbert is preceded in death by his brothers Alfred Hahn and Erwin Hahn; sister-in-law Arlene Hahn; nephew James Patterson and nephew-in-law Shawn Habedank.
Survivors include his siblings George Hahn of Sault Ste. Marie, Carol (Ray) Patterson of Engadine and Darwin (Mary) Hahn of Clio; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nephews.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Thursday December 22, 2022 from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Funeral services celebrating the life of Herbert will follow at 12:00 noon at the church with Pastor Kyle Kuehl officiating. Interment with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #290 and the United States Army Honor Guard will take place in the spring of 2023 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
