JoAnn M. Gowan
JoAnn Gowan, age 82 of Eden Prairie, MN and Curtis, MI, passed away on July 6, 2021 after a 4 ½ year battle with ovarian cancer. She is preceded in death by her husband Frederick D. Gowan, her parents Joseph and Ellen Hasch, brother and sister-in-law William and Marlene Gowan and Richard and Nancy Erickson and niece Marcy Justice. She is survived by her son Greg Gowan and his wife Jill, son Randy Gowan and his wife Cindy, their daughter Alyssa, and many loving nephews and nieces. JoAnn was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 21st, 1939. Shortly thereafter her family moved to Northbrook, Illinois where she spent her childhood. Her father Joe was one of the early pioneers in the optical business and was a vice president for House of Vision out of Chicago. Her parents were very active socially and professionally. They entertained often and perhaps this is where JoAnn first honed her skills as a world class hostess. JoAnn graduated from Glenbrook High School in 1957. After graduation she enrolled at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Although she loved the mountains of Colorado and all her sisters at the Chi Omega Sorority, she felt her calling was to travel and meet new people. She became a flight attendant – or stewardess as they were called back then – for Northwest Orient Airlines in 1960. Her first assignment with Northwest Orient was based in Seattle, Washington. JoAnn enjoyed the semi-celebrity status that flight attendants had back then and often commented on how many interesting people she met while flying and how much fun she had traveling the country. She said if a passenger was nervous she would sit with them and calm them down and even have a smoke with them, the perfect job for JoAnn. While at a party after a flight she met a young man named Fred Gowan who was in the army also based in Seattle. The two hit it off immediately and planned to see each again. Unfortunately, Fred lost JoAnn’s phone number and forgot her last name. Fortunately for all of us, in 1961 if you called a big company like Northwest Orient Airlines and said you met this nice stewardess at a party named JoAnn and you thought her last name was a breakfast food (i.e. hasch) but lost her number they would happily look it up for you. Probably Fred’s first and best sales call. JoAnn left Northwest Orient in 1962 to marry the love of her life, Fred, and start a family. They were married November 24th, 1962. They had a blessed 58 year marriage and loved to share their joy of life with family and friends. They entertained often and JoAnn was a hostess without peer. One of her great joys was cooking, especially at their cabin in Curtis. Her specialty was appetizers, which usually came out right at 5:00, and that’s when everyone knew to stop by. Many of her recipes are still enjoyed today by family and friends. From her kitchen window she could see all the goings on in and around the cabins and took great joy in watching her sons, husband, and later her granddaughter recreating in the yard and around the lake. She was a great mother to her sons Greg and Randy. Rarely did a day go by that she did not talk to one or both of them. They were both at her side every day for the last 6 1/2 months of her life, an experience all three treasured. JoAnn fought cancer with dignity and grace. She refused to let cancer control her and was determined to live her life on her terms, which she did. When told she had months to live, she heard years; when told she had weeks, she heard months. She did not lose her battle to cancer; she simply ran out of time. She beat cancer 4 ½ years to 1 day, a record anyone would be proud of. She knew that every day she fought was one more day to see loved ones, especially her sons, daughters-in-law, and beloved granddaughter Alyssa. God’s speed, Mama Jo, a life well lived with no regrets
A Celebration of Life will take place in Curtis, MI this summer with a date to be determined. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
John Carl Matchinski
Lifelong Engadine resident, John Carl Matchinski, 70, died Thursday afternoon July 8, 2021 at the residence of his loving wife, Sandy, and the care of Schoolcraft Memorial Hospice. Born March 1, 1951 in Manistique, son of the late Melvin and Rhoda (Brown) Matchinski, John was a 1969 graduate of Engadine High School. On April 20, 1971, John was inducted into the United States Army serving in Germany during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on April 20, 1973 attaining the rank of Specialists Fourth Class. John owned and operated John Matchinski Builders Inc. in Engadine for several years and also was a sexton for the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, the Engadine Cemetery and the Naubinway Cemetery. John was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he served as an usher, member and former Sergeant of Arms of the American Legion Post #290 in Engadine, member of the Garfield Township Fire Department and member of the Big Mac Pack Snowmobile Club. His hobbies included fishing, riding his side by side ATV and snowmobiling. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Wing on June 26, 2019. Survivors include his wife, the former Sandra Louise Parker, whom he married October 20, 2018 in Engadine; son John Matchinski of Engadine; grandchildren Sabrina (Kyle) DeVos, Fiona Wing and Niklas Wing; son-in-law Paul Wing of McMillan; siblings Martin of Engadine, Rex (Gloria) of Newberry and Lynn (Dennis) Wiertella of Negaunee; several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held Tuesday July 27, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery with Pastor Tim Miller officiating. Military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #290 and the United States Army Honor Guard will follow at the cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Post #290 or the Garfield Township Fire Department in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Pamela Lee Caudell
Lifelong Newberry resident, Pamela Lee Caudell, 66, died Monday morning, July 12, 2021 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. Born June 2, 1955 in Newberry, daughter of the late Ralph and Kathleen (Fourne) Caudell, Pam was a graduate of Newberry High School. Pam was formerly employed as a security guard at Louisiana Pacific Corp., attended Trinity Lutheran Church and her hobbies included craftwork, camping and fishing. In addition to her parents, Pam is preceded in death by her siblings Ralph Caudell Jr., James Gruezke and Jill Stark. Survivors include her former husband, Dave Yeadon, of Newberry; step-son Curtis (Jessie Tiglas) Yeadon of Newberry; step-grandchildren Lala, Carter and Owen Yeadon; sister Nancy (Bill) Arpino of Fairbanks, Alaska; several 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.
Andrew James Ducsay
Andrew James Ducsay, 72, of McMillan, MI died April 11, 2021 at home. He was born February 3, 1949 in Newberry, MI, the son of the late Andrew and Minnie (Carey) Ducsay. He is survived by his wife Linda (Simmons) Ducsay, daughter Shawn (Stu) Shelley of Salem, OR, sons Brian (Tonya) McCutcheon and Brandon (Keri) McCutcheon of Anchorage, AK, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings: Sandi Miller, Mike (Debbie) Ducsay, Anna (Tom) Marudas, Andrea (Leon) Everhart, John Ducsay, Marilyn (Dr. Dave) Thurston, David (Chris) Ducsay, Steve Ducsay, Jason Ducsay and Deanna (Kevin) Stewart. A memorial service celebrating the life of Andy will be held Saturday, July 24, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in McMillan, MI at 11 a.m. with Pastor Devin Lawrence officiating. Internment will follow at the East Lakefield Cemetery. A luncheon will be served afterward at the Lakefield Township Hall.
