Gary Gene Graham
June 2, 1939 – January 27, 2026
Gary Gene Graham, 86, of Curtis, passed away Tuesday evening of January 27, 2026, at UP Health Systems-Marquette.
Born on June 2, 1939, in Sharonville, Ohio, he was the son of the late Claude and Ruby (Guy) Graham. Gary graduated from Sharonville High School and dedicated over 39 years of his career to Ford Motor Company-Sharonville, retiring as a transmission parts lineman.
After retirement, Gary moved to the Curtis area, where he became an active member of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, serving in various capacities, including as a former parish council chairperson. He was also a committed member of the Manistique Lakes Lions Club.
Gary is predeceased by his parents, Claude and Ruby Graham, his siblings Danny Graham and Claudette Gruell, and his brother-in-law Steven Curtis. He is survived by his loving wife, the former Janet Kraus, whom he married on October 13, 1979, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also leaves behind his sisters, Margaret Curtis of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Donna (Clarence) Pennington of Hamilton, Ohio, his brother-in-law Jeffrey Gruell of Cincinnati, Ohio, nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends will take place in the spring of 2026 at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Curtis, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the church, with Fr. Jacek Wytklo officiating. The Rite of Committal will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Curtis.
Memorials may be directed to St. Timothy’s Catholic Church or the Manistique Lakes Lions Club in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Marilyn M. Morrison
November 10, 1948 – February 3, 2026
Former longtime McMillan resident, Marilyn Marie Morrison, 77, of Newberry, passed away Tuesday afternoon February 3, 2026, at McLaren Northern Michigan-Petoskey. Born on November 10, 1948, in Newberry, she was the beloved daughter of the late Harvey and Marjorie “Pudge” (Fisher) Mainville. Raised in Southgate, Marilyn graduated from Southgate High School in 1966.
In 1976, Marilyn returned to McMillan and began her career as a waitress at the former Paul Bunyan Restaurant in Newberry. She later opened the Poorboy Restaurant, which she ran for 25 years until 2004. Following this, she continued her passion for cooking at the Newberry Assisted Living Community until her retirement in 2013.
Marilyn was an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying sporting events and supporting the Newberry Indians. She loved watching college basketball and cherished watching her grandchildren participate in their various activities. Her dedication to the community was evident through her volunteer work with the S.T.A.R.S. reading program at Tahquamenon Area Schools.
Marilyn is survived by her loving children, Andy Morrison of Newberry, Wendy (Tom) Sanders of Newberry, and Melissa (Dave Walls) Walther of Fremont. She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Lexi Resse of Newberry, Jordan Carey (Autumn) of Sault Ste. Marie, Damicha (Zach) Foster of Midland, and Mia and Riley Walther of Fremont. Her great-grandchildren, Harland and Vaela Carey of Sault Ste. Marie, will also miss her dearly. Marilyn is also survived by her brother, Ted (Terri) Mainville of Southgate, and her special friends, Barb Bennett, Jackie Roach, Ann Kalnbach, Pat Norman, Kitty Ahrens, and Mary Duflo.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday May 29, 2026 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry. Funeral services celebrating the life of Marilyn will follow at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Williams, of Northstar Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will take place at the Columbus Township Cemetery in McMillan.
Memorials may be directed to the family in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Garth Louis Chenard
April 15, 1953 – January 9, 2026
Garth Louis Chenard, 72, of Newberry, went to his Maker on Friday, January 9, 2026 and he is probably having a discussion with Him right now.
That was Garth. He always had an opinion about something. And if you had an opinion about something, he would have an opinion about your opinion. That was what he was like. He kept to himself, but he would let you in. And then you would hear his latest ire or love and, you would find yourself expressing yours too. (To which he would add an editorial.)
Garth was born in Newberry, lived most of his life here and, finally, died here.
You might have seen him on one of his early morning walks or shopping around town. Then he would get back home to his reading, TV, coffee and solitude. Fix a meal for himself somewhere in there. Be ready for company, if it came. Be Garth.
His father Leo Chenard and mother Louise preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister Amy (Pat) Grasiewicz and four nephews.
A lovable eccentric, Garth will be missed by many.
Garth will be laid to rest at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry aside his mother and father.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
James Melvin Mills
May 7, 1933 – February 9, 2026
James Melvin Mills, a former longtime resident of Newberry and currently of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 at My Michigan Medical Center in Sault Ste. Marie.
Born on May 7, 1933, in Sault Ste. Marie, Jim was the son of the late Melvin and Bernice (Weaver) Mills. A star athlete at Brimley High School, he led the 1950-51 basketball team to a State of Michigan Class D State Championship and graduated as valedictorian in 1951. He then attended Michigan State University, working for General Motors during his college years. Upon returning to the Upper Peninsula, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Gayle Marie Arnott from Sault Ste. Marie, on April 24, 1953.
They started their family while he served in the United States Army during the Korean War at Fort Lewis McCord in Washington with the birth of their son James F. Mills. Following his honorable discharge and returning to Newberry, their family grew with the birth of their daughter Keri A. Mills in 1957 and five years later with the birth of their daughter Abby G. Mills in 1962.
When first back in Newberry, Jim was an insurance agent for Prudential Life Insurance, selling door to door to support his growing family and, during this time, the local bank executives of the time in Newberry were watching him. Jim was hired as a teller at the Newberry State Bank in 1960 and proved his ability all the way to the top when he became Executive Vice President in 1965. There he served the community until 1988 when at a young 55 years of age he retired, following 28 years of service with the bank. Jim gave so many dreamers and entrepreneurs the financing they needed to realize their dreams and helped grow the downtown and business community throughout the county. He was a trusting man with, “a handshake is good for me”, approach that made the fear of debt for investing more embraceable and understandable for the person across the desk.
Jim was an active member of the Michigan Bankers Association, Newberry Country Club, Luce County Chamber of Commerce, Luce County Task Force, Newberry Industrial Corporation, Luce County Economic Development Corporation, the Newberry Village Council, Newberry Ambassadors, Newberry Goodfellows, the First Presbyterian Church serving on the finance and parish council, the Newberry Elks Club, Tahquamenon Education Foundation and served as a mentor in economics to the students at Tahquamenon Area Schools. He was an avid golfer winning many tournaments as well as not one but three hole in one shots on the Newberry Country Club. He also was a fine fiddle player and enjoyed entertaining the neighbors on the back deck with his family and friends and nearly every Saint Paddy’s Day at the Newberry Elks Lodge with “The Pine Stump Junction Philharmonic”.
During his retirement, Jim dove into his passion of woodworking. He created beautiful pieces of furniture, clocks and works of art. He built cabinets, carved birds, made fishing nets, letter openers, stamp dispensers and jewelry boxes. His attention to detail and personal demand for excellence made his work exceptional and a treasure to have. His writing was eloquent, his paintings were expressionist and his wisdom made us better. Jim left a legacy of kindness, respect for others, honor, dignity, hard work, laughter, never give up and trust your gut attitude and, above all, Love one another and Share your gifts!
In addition to his parents, Melvin and Bernice, Jim is preceded in death by his wife Gayle on March 5, 2003 and brother David Mills in 2025.
He is survived by his partner of 22 years Janice Brill of Paradise; son James F. (Dawn) Mills of Lakefield, daughters Keri A. Mills of Newberry and Abby (Tom) Magnuson of Curtis; grandchildren Preston J. (Tawyna) Mills, Alison Lamarsh Fox, Aaron J. M. (Melissa) Mills, Jamie (Danny) McNamara, Ryan (Elizabeth) Magnuson and Mallory (Danny Maki) Magnuson; great grandchildren Alex Volpentest, Kyle Fox, Caleb Mills, Seth Mills, Nolan Mills, Sarina Mills, Emily Miils, Avery Mills, Myleigh Mills, Tucker Mills, River Mills, Kynzie (Alec) Easty, Hayden McNamara, Owen McNamara, Riley (Nalu Kipapa) Magnuson, Quentin Magnuson, Rickie De Magnuson, Mollie Gayle Magnuson, Norman James Magnuson, Blair Maki and Brynn Maki; great greatgrandchild Kaleo Easty. Jim’s extended family for the past 22 years included Janice’s children Mark Brill, Lisa Brill and Amy (Frank) Sellke; grandchildren Haley Brill, Alex Brill, Michelle Sellke, Eric Sellke, Nichols Sellke and Amanda Sellke; great grandchildren Harper, Renzo, Teddy, Connor and Jamie.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Monday February 16, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Newberry. A memorial service celebrating the life of Jim will follow at 2:00 pm at the church with Pastor Melinda VanderSys officiating.
Interment with military honors rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard and the American Legion Post #74 will take place in the spring of 2026 at Forest Home Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
