Barbara Ann Hoig
Longtime Curtis resident, Barbara Ann Hoig, 87, died Tuesday morning December 15, 2020 at Storypoint Assisted Living in Portage, Michigan. Born September 6, 1933 in Fremont, daughter of the late Joseph and Leona (McGill) Lowry, Barbara moved to Curtis at a young age and was a 1951 graduate of Newberry High School. On June 14, 1952, Barbara married William Hoig Sr. and made Curtis their home. Barbara was a devoted homemaker raising her family and also a self-employed cookie and cake decorator. Later in life, she was employed as a Senior Living Coordinator for C.C.S.S. for several years until her retirement in 2016. Barbara was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Luce Chapter #364 and her hobbies included scrapbooking and photography.
In addition to her parents, Barbara is preceded in death by her husband William Sr. on April 8, 2019. Survivors include her children William Jr. (Mary Lou) Hoig of Gwinn, Kelly (Theresa) Hoig of Portage, Kerry Hoig of Wolverine and Leah Hoig of Curtis; grandchildren Adrienne, Kara, Lysa, Sammi Jo, Emily and Katelyn. Due to the present COVID-19 restrictions, a private family visitation will be held Saturday December 19, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry with a private family funeral service following at 11:00 am with Pastor Patrick McNeill officiating. A public graveside interment service will be held Thursday June 3, 2021 at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Curtis with the time to be announced at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the McMillan Lodge #400 F & AM Scholarship Fund in care of Randall Fretz, 15880 CR 402, Newberry, Michigan 49868 in her memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Laurence Thomas Dwyer
Laurence Thomas Dwyer died in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on December 19, 2021. He was born on April 10, 1951 to Bernard and Pauline Fraser Dwyer in Newberry, Michigan. He was considerate in not pressing for an earlier birth, so big brother, Jim could have an eighth birthday party. That was an example of how considerate he would be for the rest of his life. After he graduated from Newberry High School in 1969, Larry enrolled at Northern Michigan College. After working for a few years at the Kalamazoo State Hospital, he attended Western Michigan University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree. Larry spent two years in the U.S. Navy in the early 1970s. He was retained at the Great Lakes Training Center where he spent his full Navy career teaching remedial reading to new recruits needing more enhanced reading skills. He was presented with an award for his teaching efforts by the Governor of Illinois. After his military service, he returned to the Ann Arbor area and attended Eastern Michigan University where he earned a Master’s Degree. Reading was an avocation for him as he provided gift certificates to his nieces and nephews to be used at book stores on birthdays and at Christmas. The children were constantly in his thoughts and he always asked about how they were doing. He was employed for several years as a youth counselor at the W.J. Maxey Boys’ Training School at Whitmore Lake, Michigan. After he retired from working for the State of Michigan, he was employed at the Ann Arbor Public Library. For the past thirty-five years, he had resided in the Ann Arbor area where he enjoyed the sights and sounds of that city and the University of Michigan milieu. He had yearnings for returning to live in the Upper Peninsula, but decided to remain in Ann Arbor. He headed north to the family cabin on Round Lake as much as possible. Larry is survived by a brother, Jim (Marla) Dwyer of Sault Ste. Marie; sister, Peggy (Roger) Schmitz, of Fort Myers, Florida; niece, Teresa (Danny) Armstrong of Sault Ste. Marie, and nephew, Derek (Heidi) Schmitz, of Minneapolis. He is survived by several great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and nephew, Gregory James Dwyer. He will be interred with his parents at the Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry. A graveside service will be held in 2021.
Michael G. “Mickey” Ketola
Michael G. “Mickey” Ketola, age 75 longtime Ishpeming resident, passed away at his home on Monday December 14, 2020 while in the loving care of his family, and UP Home Health and Hospice. Mickey was born in Newberry, MI on May 22, 1945, son of the late Esko and Irene Ketola. He graduated from Newberry High School class of 1963. Following graduation Mickey attended Welding Trade School and started his career as a Welder, working all across the UP and the United States at different construction and mining jobs. Mickey loved to trap, hunt, and fish. He enjoyed playing cards, including Yahtzee, and cribbage. Mickey was an avid Detroit Lions and Tigers fan. Most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Mickey is survived by his wife of 26 years- Susan (Alongo) Ketola, 4 children- Karyn Ketola of National Mine, Mike (Michelle) Ketola of Silver Bay, MN, Marsha (Doug) Willa of Wilson, MI, Barbara (Scott) Davis of Oakman, AL, 2 step-children- Gary (Lisa) Emanuelson of Ishpeming, Amy (John) Santti of Ishpeming, 2 brothers- Norbert (Barb) Ketola, Marvin (Carol) Ketola, along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter- Sheryl Lyn Ketola. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no public services held, the family will be holding a celebration of Mickey’s life in 2021. Mickey’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.
Norma Jean Chambers
Longtime Newberry resident, Norma Jean Chambers, 85, died Wednesday evening December 16, 2020 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry. Born March 29, 1935 in Fountain, Michigan, daughter of the late Joseph and Rose (Fox) Wabsey, Norma moved to Newberry at a young age, a 1953 graduate of Newberry High School and on October 24, 1953, she married Clinton Chambers. Norma was a devoted homemaker raising her family and later in life was employed as a Community Health Representative for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Norma was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and a founding member of the River of Life Worship Center in Newberry. She was a volunteer at the Tahquamenon Area Senior Citizens and her hobbies included crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, bingo, horseshoes, singing and playing the guitar. In addition to her parents, Norma is preceded in death by her husband Clinton on April 13, 2002; son Jesse Chambers, siblings Charlotte Moore, Ruth Porter, Rose Marie Chambers, James Mashka and Gordon Wabsey; daughter-in-law Beth Chambers. Survivors include her children Wilford Chambers of Grand Rapids, Clay (Jeannie) Chambers of Kalkaska and Karla (Dave) Dismuke of Newberry; 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; brother Daniel Wabsey. Per her request, cremation services were according with no services scheduled at this time. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
