Carl Clifford Clark Jr.
Carl Clifford Clark Jr., 80, of Paradise, passed away Friday evening August 7, 2020 at his residence in the arms of his wife of 59 years, Shirley, after a lengthy illness. Carl was born on August 14, 1939 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, son of the late Irene (nee Peterson) Clark Gale and Carl C. Clark Sr. Carl lived in Newberry and Paradise all his life. Carl was co-owner of the Berry Patch restaurant and gift shop in Paradise for the past 19 years. Prior to purchasing the Berry Patch, Carl was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the Village of Newberry, a self-employed trucker and formerly owned and operated Carl’s Sales and Service in Newbery. Carl was also a fireman for the Newberry Fire Department for 25 years. Carl enjoyed talking on his Hamm Radio, fishing, hunting and working on small engines. Carl is survived by his loving wife, the former Shirley Bergman of Paradise, whom he married November 5, 1960; son Michael (Chris) Clark of Tennessee; step-granddaughter Marisa (Dave) Cappaert of Thornton, Colorado and nearby granddaughters Ashley (Andrew) Williams of Rudyard, Alicia (Tyler) Northrop of Rudyard and Ariel (Brian) Clark of St. Ignace; five great-grandchildren; sister Ella Mae McNeil of Newberry; brothers-in-law Arvid (Barbara) Bergman of McAllen, Texas and Richard (Sandy) Bergman of Richmond, Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews residing in Kansas, Missouri and Virginia. Per his request, cremation services were accorded. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Carl will be held Wednesday August 26, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Paradise United Methodist Church in Paradise with Pastor Mary Brooks officiating. Internment will take place at the Paradise United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Paradise United Methodist Church in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the Family.
Janet Rosemary Heck
Janet Rosemary Heck, age 77, of Germfask, MI passed away at the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility on June 9, 2020. Born on July 26, 1942, to John and Maneta L. (Westrich) Heck in Pontiac, MI. She attended Alma Area Schools graduating with the class of 1960, before attending Northwestern University in Traverse City and obtaining her bachelor’s degree in nursing as an LPN. Janet worked in the Ann Arbor area until she relocated to Curtis in 1991. Janet is survived by her brother, Tom (Dianne) Heck of Saginaw, MI; nephew, Matt (Teri) Heck of Saginaw, MI; great-nephew and great-nieces, John, Claire, and Katelyn, and special friends, Becky Pritchard and Linda Martin. The Family would like to extend a special thank you to Megan at the Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday August 22, 2020, at 11:00 AM at St Timothy’s Catholic Church in Curtis, with the Rev Father Martin Flynn officiating. Memorials may be directed in Janet’s name to the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility, Patient activity fund. Fausett Family Funeral homes of Manistique is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left at their website at fausettfh.com
Ryan McNamara
Lifelong Newberry resident, Ryan McNamara, 46, died suddenly Sunday morning August 2, 2020 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. Ryan was born January 18, 1974 in Newberry and raised by his grandparents John and Janet McNamara. Ryan was not just an amazing, devoted, hardworking spouse and father but also was a very proud one. He never hesitated to put his family first and foremost at all times. Ryan, who was the soulmate and lifetime love of his wife Cheri, never met a child he couldn’t reach out to or love. Ryan and Cheri put much effort into loving “their” kids. Those included not only their birth children but eighteen others who were not theirs legally, but lovingly “theirs”. You all know who you are and how much we love you. Ryan loved everything outdoors from his trees, robins, hummingbirds to deer season with his boys. He spent much of his down time working in the garage and for others. You always knew Ryan was close by when you heard that infamous whistle or saw his charming smile. Ryan was a go-to person who never hesitated to drop what he was doing anytime if someone needed help. Ryan is survived by his loving wife, the former Cheri Rolph, whom he married May 12, 1995 in Newberry; his children Jake of Gwinn, Josh (Katie Smith) McNamara of Newberry, Evan McNamara of Newberry, Jacie McNamara of Newberry and all those he considered his; his grandchildren Jacob, Kya and Nolan; his fur baby loves, Zoey and Lily. Also surviving is Victor McNamara Sr., several siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins; special mention to Kelly Graham whom he considered his sister. A memorial gathering celebrating the life of Ryan will take place Saturday August 15, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the residence of Joshua McNamara, 414 East Ave. C., Newberry, Michigan 49868. Memorials may be directed to the family in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Melanie Alayne Kauramaki
Mother Earth lost one of her most precious and beautiful creations on Tuesday, July 28, when our sister, Melanie, took her final breath and passed into the great unknown. Mel, who never had more than the common cold, bravely fought the ravages of incurable t-cell lymphoma (AITL) for three long years, never losing her quick wit, sassy personality nor irreverent sense of humor. Mel was born on September 27, 1948, to Chester (Coop) and Eileene Kauramaki in Newberry, graduated with her class of 1966 from NHS, and moved to Saginaw, Michigan, to pursue a career with Michigan Bell Telephone Co. Following her marriage to Wm. Jungerheld, with whom she traveled the country and the world, Mel retired from Michigan Bell and pursued volunteer work with the Saginaw County Humane Society, first as a volunteer and after 40 years, ended her work there as president. She devoted her life to animal rescue, abuse investigations, education and promoted spay and neuter programs. She adopted all animals no one else wanted and at one time had 14 cats with various personality disorders in her home; years later she had 7 dogs, all with “rap sheets” for biting but none ever bit Mel. She was shockingly bold and courageous when confronting animal abusers but never compromised her strongly held values about how animals should be treated and cared for. Mel also took many classes at the local community college and developed into a very good writer; unknown to her family, she kept journals and diaries most of her life, wrote funny essays and put down thoughts in general as she examined life’s mysteries. She was a much deeper person than many of us knew. Mel’s sisters and brother all lovingly cared for her as her illness progressed and sadly but proudly carried her casket to the waiting hearse. She leaves behind to grieve, her husband Bill; her “nutjob” pups, Rocky, Shadow and Poochie; her birth siblings, Julie Ferris, Diana Cook, Crystal, Noelle and Kline Kauramaki; and her honorary sisters, Elise Schmidt and Kris Spicer, both of whom selflessly loved and cared for Mel and her pups, and who Mel loved as sisters. Mel’s family would also like to thank her brother-in-law, Hy Smith, for his many kindnesses to her, including honoring Mel’s unique food requests when preparing family dinners. We will always hold her in our hearts and be guided by her love and compassion for all creatures.
