John C. Garavaglia
November 20, 1940 – April 12, 2025
John “Jack” Charles Garavaglia, 84, of Rexton, died Saturday morning, April 12, 2025 at his residence in the presence of his loving family and the care of North Woods Home Hospice.
Born November 20, 1940 in Newberry, son of the late John and Evelyn (McPhail) Garavaglia, Jack was raised in Rexton where he attended the Rexton School until the sixth grade, moving with his parents to Rochester Hills, and continuing his education at Avondale High School.
At the age of 18, Jack started his employment career in road construction and later as a heavy equipment operator for 40 years until his retirement in 1998. During this time, Jack married the former Sandra Gravlin on November 4, 1967 and also served in the United States Army and Reserves during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on October 31, 1969, attaining the rank of Private First Class.
Following Jack’s retirement, he and his wife, Sandra, returned home to Rexton where he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, riding his side by side in the woods, nature and fishing. Jack was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 324.
In addition to his parents, Jack is preceded in death by his wife Sandra on October 25, 2005.
Survivors include his loving children John (Nicole) Garavaglia of White Lake and Amy Garavaglia of Sterling Heights; grandchildren Joslyn Mixon, Kyle Garavaglia, Christopher Garavaglia, Tyler Shiplett, Austin Newman and Grace Groth; great-grandchildren Nevaeh, Margaret, Ameliah and Marcus; brother Al (Nadine) Garavaglia of Rexton; nephews Al Garavaglia Jr., Dan Garavaglia and other nieces and nephews.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. Jack will be laid to rest next to his wife Sandra at the Epoufette Cemetery with full military honors rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard and the American Legion Post #290, with a date and time to be announced.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Gerald “Skip” Wiggins
October 18, 1935 – April 12, 2025
Gerald L. “Skip” Wiggins, 89, died suddenly Saturday morning, April 12, 2025 at his residence.
Born October 18, 1935 in Carp River, son of the late Benson and Lulu (Maddix) Wiggins, Skip was a graduate of LaSalle High School in St. Ignace.
Skip married the former LaRaine Erskine and they spent 67 happy years together. He was employed as a Registered Land Surveyor for the Department of Natural Resources, retiring after 35 years of service and was a longtime member of the Registered Land Surveyors Association.
Skip’s first love was woodworking and he and LaRaine built many beautiful family homes together including their cherished cabin on Brevoort Lake of 60 years, enjoying snowmobiling, sailing and speed boating. Skip crafted many watercraft and forever sailed as Captain with his companion pet retrievers as first mate on his beloved sailing vessels, Oden and the JaniDan.
In addition to his parents, Skip is preceded in death by his granddaughter Bethany King and siblings Ben (Sylvia) Wiggins, Eloise (Ted) Teddy and Darlene (Joseph) Moody.
Survivors include his loving wife, LaRaine, of Newberry; children Janice (Glen) Pittman of Newberry and Daniel (Dr. Cyndi) Wiggins of Marquette; grandchildren Colton Wiggins of Marquette, Chelsea Mae (Nick Kopylec) Wiggins of Orlando, Florida, Heather (Greg) Mannisto of Chatham, Sabrina (Clint) Tyner of Chatham, Glen Pittman Jr. of Escanaba, Rachael (Don Shope) of Rapid River, grandson-in-law Lee King; great-grandchildren Paavo Mannisto and Tuuli Mannisto of Chatham, Lucy Tyner and Stormey Tyner of Chatham.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. Skip will be laid to rest at the Caffey Cemetery in Rexton at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the Great Lake Shipwreck Museum, 18335 North Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, Michigan 49768 or at www.shipwreckmuseum.com Skip’s loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Nancy Reese Wyatt
June 27, 1934 – April 2, 2025
Nancy Reese Wyatt died on April 2, 2025 at Elevate Care Riverwoods, Illinois.
She was born on June 27, 1934 to Louise (Ostrander) and George Reese in Pine Cottage on a bluff above Manistique Lake in Curtis, Michigan. Her parents divorced and much of her early years were spent in Curtis at the Forest Inn owned by her grandparents, Jim and Edna Ostrander.
Her Mother and Rex Strawe were married in 1939. They lived in Whitaker, Michigan until moving to Curtis in 1950. Nancy graduated from Newberry High School in 1952 and attended Michigan State University. She married, moved to Ohio, and started a family.
Nancy lived in Bay Village, Ohio for 52 years. She was the owner of Nancy Reese Wyatt Interiorscapes in Cleveland, Ohio for over two decades, and owned Nancy’s, a flower shop in Bay Village, Ohio for 11 years. She volunteered as chair of the Tree Commission in Bay Village for many years and oversaw annual spring tree plantings. She also volunteered with the Bay Village library. She worked hard and with purpose throughout her life.
Nancy was a creative, curious person and loved to learn new things. She was an avid reader who loved to share and talk about books. She was a mentor to many young people. The natural world, trees, color, design, and music continually inspired her. She loved to visit her daughters, who lived around the country, and her family and friends in her Curtis hometown. She was an incredible cook, a great dancer, a lifelong knitter and gardener, a serious sleeper and she loved to laugh (giggling in her last days).
Nancy is survived by three daughters, Tracey Wyatt (Tom Dummer), Shannon Wyatt, Hallie Wyatt (Paul) Johnson; five grandchildren, Wyatt Smith, Claire Smith, Perry Johnson, Luke (Nicole) Johnson, Reese Dummer; two great-granddaughters, Ellis and Annabelle Torongo; two siblings, Diane Schaeffer, Kim (Nancy) Strawe; nephew and niece, Thad and Carrie Schaeffer.
Nancy will be buried under a white pine in the Sandtown Cemetery in Curtis MI. A private, family service will be planned at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to A Living Tribute at ALivingTribute.org. When asked for the delivery address, insert the Lake Forest Funeral Home address of 320 Vine Avenue, Lake Forest, IL 60045.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.wenbanfh.com
