Gary Ernest Owen
Gary Ernest Owen of Caro, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at his home. Born the youngest of eight children to the late Ernest & Lillian (Stamper) Owen, Gary grew up in Curtis and graduated from Newberry High School. Shortly after his graduation, he moved to Flint to work in the Buick Plant. While there, he met the love of his life Carol Bader, and the couple married on November 24, 1972. Gary and Carol moved to Marlette where he worked as a welder at area factories before taking a position with the Ford Motor Company Tractor Plant in Romeo. In 1984, he moved with the company to Georgia for seven years before returning to the Romeo plant, retiring in 2008 after more than twenty-five years of service to Ford. Gary was an avid golfer, loved sports of all kinds and had a deep appreciation for nature. He was kindhearted, had a great love for his family and remained passionate to the end about issues important to him. Gary is survived by his loving wife, Carol Owen of Caro; two children, Vanessa Owen and her fiancé, Eric Bahns of Dayton, Ohio; Gina Owen and her husband, Karl Juengel of Woodland Hills, California; two siblings and their spouses, Richard & Marion Owen of Curtis and Joan & George Bader of Lapeer; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by five siblings: Herbert Lawson, Ruby Gehrett, Arbutus Long, Betty Fisher, and Georgia Leveille. In keeping with Gary’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider contributions to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or the Southern Poverty Law Center. The family was assisted with these arrangements by the Ransford Collon Funeral Home of Caro. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.RansfordCollon.com. A private memorial service celebrating Gary’s life was held July 17, 2021 in Caro, MI.
George J. Phinney
George J. Phinney, born July 29, 1930, joined the love of his life, Dee, in heaven on July 15, 2021. He was a beloved teacher of many over his 30 year career at Otterbein University. After retirement he divided his time between the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is cabin in Hocking Hills. He was an avid birder, fisherman, and hunter. He volunteered for over 1000 hours at Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents Grace (Horn) and Ansel Phinney, his brother Foster, and his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Donnalea (Cain) Phinney. He is survived by his loving daughter, Melinda Phinney. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be planned at a future date. In lieu of flowers, contribution would be welcomed to Seney Natural History Society in Germfask, Michigan.
Carl William Work Sr.
Carl William Work Sr., 93, of Curtis, died Tuesday July 13, 2021 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital with his daughter, Jobyann Pastell, at his bedside. Born April 11, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio, son of the late Charles and Anna (Bratt) Work, Carl married the former Orchie M. Binkley on June 24, 1950 in Columbus, Ohio. Carl enlisted in the United State Air Force on November 23, 1951 serving during the Korean War until his honorable discharge on November 22, 1955 attaining the rank of Airman First Class. Following his honorable discharge, Carl resided in Hilliard, Ohio where he served as a patrolman for the Hilliard Police Department. A resident of Curtis since 1968, Carl was employed as a millwright at Louisiana Pacific Corp. in Newberry until his retirement on his 62nd birthday. Carl was active in the Curtis area serving as member and former chief of the Portage Township Fire Department for 35 years, patrolman for the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department and an ambulance driver for the Portage Township EMS. Later in life, Carl enjoyed sitting outside by his table, under his umbrella watching everyone pass by and also feeding chipmunks. In addition to his parents, Carl is preceded in death by his wife Orchie on May 7, 1998; son Carl Jr. in 1978, great-granddaughter Nicole M. Pastell, sister Jeanne Edwards and brother-in-law’s Ronald Dutton and John Edwards. Survivors include his daughter Jobyann (Allen) Pastell of Curtis; grandchildren Derek (Alisha) Pastell of Roscommon and Melissa (Raymond) Walters of Lake Orion; great-grandchildren Thomas Pastell, Emilee Pastell, Brooke Walters and Kaitlyn Walters; sister Virginia Dutton of Curtis; nephew J.T. Edwards and family; special friends Steve Murray, Jake and Sis Moses, Terry Watson and Mrs. and Mrs. Fred Strickland. Graveside services with full military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #74 and the United States Air Force Honor Guard will take place Wednesday July 21, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Curtis. Memorials may be directed to the Portage Township Fire Department in his loving memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Alice D. Eifler
Alice D. Eifler, 79, a lifetime EUP resident, died at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. Born March 23, 1942 in in Brevort, Michigan, daughter of the late John V. and Leona M. (Ash) Carlson, Alice was raised in the Brevort area and a 1960 graduate of Brevort High School. Except for a short time in Indiana, Alice was a lifelong resident and attended the Rexton Lutheran Church. On April 13, 1981 she married Jerry Eifler, who preceded her in death on February 19, 2020. Alice was employed for 25+ years at Tahquamenon Area Schools as a Teacher’s Aide until her retirement and was the Hendricks Township Constable for a year, finishing out her husband’s term due to his death. Alice enjoyed knitting, crocheting, fishing, all types of berry picking and also loved her flower and vegetable gardens. In addition to her parents and husband, Alice is preceded in death by son David Pavey, daughter Dena Ludlow and brother Chuck Carlson. Survivors include her son Clarence “Delbert” (Lori) Pavey of Newberry; step children Patricia Russell of Tellico Plains, Tennessee and Marie Goss of Noblesville, Tennessee; sister Deveda M. Scott of Houghton Lake, Michigan; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. According to her wishes, cremation services have been accorded. Interment will take place next to her husband in Maplewood Cemetery in Rexton at a later date. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Iris Irene Cook
Iris Irene Cook, 92, known to family and friends as Irene or Tootie, died July 4th – just her style, she loved holidays. She was surrounded by her loving family. She went through school in Newberry, Michigan. In her early years, she loved her time working as an operator at the phone company. After she married the love of her life, Gene, in 1952, she spent her life being a wonderful homemaker, wife and mother. She always enjoyed friends and loved to have parties and get-togethers. She loved water aerobics and was especially fond of her time living in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Irene had a wonderful personality and was always kind and enjoyable to be with. She had many fabulous friends throughout her life. She is predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Gene Cook; her parents, Lloyd and Lula Roach, and her brother, Bud Roach. She is survived by her daughters, Patti Cook and Donna Roach; her son, Mike Cook; her grandson, Cody Cook; her great-grandson, Ryker Cook; her granddaughter, Sarah Daluisio; her grandson-in-law, Gary Daluisio; her beloved great-granddaughter, Gigi Daluisio, who she would sing “I love you a bushel and a peck” with; and many relatives and friends in New Jersey, Florida, Vermont, Michigan and Virginia. Her family will hold a private celebration of her life.
Michael Finn Anderson
Michael Finn Anderson, 63, of Newberry, died Saturday afternoon July 10, 2021 at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. Born January 21, 1958 in Newberry, son of Earl “Finn” and Lois (Nordwall) Anderson, Mike was a 1976 graduate of Newberry High School and a Magna Cum Laude honors graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette with a bachelor’s degree in Education. Mike was employed as a teacher for Tahquamenon Area Schools and later at the Newberry Correctional Facility until his retirement in 2016. Mike was confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and his hobbies included wreath making, music, painting, reading and youth hockey. Mike is preceded in death by his father Finn Anderson and father-in-law Arthur Pigeon. Survivors include his loving wife, the former Terese Pigeon of Newberry, whom he married September 15, 1995 at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church; mother Lois Anderson of Newberry; mother-in-law Irene Pigeon of Newberry; sisters Nancy Reintjes of Marquette, Lynn (Richard) Walker of Chassell and Lori (Lynn) Johnson of Marquette; in-laws Marie (Eddie) Lange of Nashville, TN, Russell Pigeon of Newberry, Joseph (Shelly) Pigeon of Iron Mountain and David (Stephanie Papist) Pigeon of Newberry; nieces and nephews Brandon Reintjes, Amanda Reintjes, Geir Johnson, Jonas Johnson and Cooper Pigeon. A memorial service celebrating the life of Michael will be held Thursday July 22, 2021 at 10:30 am at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church with Fr. Phil Witkowski officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Tahquamenon Area Youth Hockey Association (T.A.Y.H.A.) in his loving memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
