Evelyn C. Greca
May 6, 1935 – August 11, 2021
Longtime Newberry resident, Evelyn Catherine Greca, 85, died Sunday morning August 8, 2021, at her residence in the presence of her family and the care of North Woods Hospice.
The youngest daughter of the late Frank and Florence (Youell) Crowder was born July 9, 1936, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Evelyn married Frederick Greca Sr. on June 1, 1957, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and moved to Newberry in November of 1958. She became a citizen of the United States on June 12, 1967.
Evelyn retired from the Community Action Agency on December 9, 1996, after touching the lives of many three and four-year olds during her tenure as a Headstart teacher.
Evelyn had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed having fun. She traveled the Al-CAN highway on its 50th Anniversary with Fred Sr., Fred Jr., and grandson Josh. Day trips in the Model A with other Newbery Model A enthusiasts were enjoyed as well. It didn’t take much coaxing to get on the road to visit grandchildren. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and looked forward to the monthly gatherings. She loved spending time with family and friends and rarely missed the opportunity to do so.
Evelyn had a love for athletics whether as a participant or spectator and was very competitive by nature. She excelled at softball, bowling, swimming, and golf. She had a beautiful swim stroke and swam when she could well into her 70s. She was an avid golfer and a member of the Newberry Country Club as well as the Women’s Golf League for many years.
Community involvement was a big part of Evelyn’s life as well. She stepped up to lead Girl Scout Troops, was instrumental in forming the girls’ softball league in the 1970s and was a much-loved coach of the girl’s JV basketball team at Newberry High School.
In addition to her parents, Evelyn is preceded in death by an infant son Jeffrey William Greca; siblings Lorraine Bowden, Margaret Neville and Ronald Crowder.
Survivors include her loving husband, Fred, of Newberry; children Corinne (John) Forsberg of Beaufort, North Carolina, Fred Greca Jr. of Rockford, Michigan and Rebecca Paiz of Grand Rapids, Michigan; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; siblings Robert (Elva) Crowder of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada and Birdie Schouwenberg of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews and close friends.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Evelyn will take place Saturday August 28, 2021, at 11:00 am at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry with Ella Pentland presiding. Interment will take place at a later date at Forest Home Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to NFD Fireman’s Relief Fund, 211 West John St. Newberry, MI 49868 or Project Backpack, P.O. Box 569, Newberry, Michigan 49868 in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Jaden Dayne Caswell
April 21, 2001 – August 10, 2021
Jaden Dayne Caswell, 20, of Newberry, died Tuesday, August 10, 2021 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Jaden was born April 21, 2001 in Marquette, Michigan.
A lifelong Newberry resident, Jayden was a 2020 high school graduate from C.C.S.S. and was presently employed as a construction worker for J.C. and Son Roofing. Jaden enjoyed working on trucks, playing video games, building sound systems. riding the back roads, making sporadic trips with his mother and spending time with family and friends.
Jaden is preceded in death by his grandmother Darlene Caswell and Aunt Tanya Caswell.
Survivors include his parents, Shane Caswell and Joe (Cassie) Caswell all of Newberry and Tara (Jamie) Chiapuzio of Ironwood; siblings Alex Caswell of Ramah, Colorado, Joseph Caswell, Noah Caswell, Brianna Caswell, Josie Caswell and Trulie Caswell all of Newberry; grandparents John Caswell of Newberry, Robert (Tanya) Bryers of Ramah, Colorado and Joe (Gloria) Caswell of Newberry; several aunts, uncles and friends.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. A gathering of family and friends took place on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Seney Township Pavilion in Seney.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Matthew G. Kempf
March 24, 1958 – August 11, 2021
Longtime Engadine resident Matthew G. Kempf, 63, died Wednesday August 11, 2021 at his residence.
Born March 24, 1958 in Manistique, son of the late Neil and Eva (Lesatz) Kempf, Matthew was a 1976 graduate of Engadine High School.
Matthew was employed for several years to present as a millwright at Matelski Lumber in Engadine. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, riding his 4-wheeler and working on his computer.
In addition to his parents, Matthew is preceded in death by his brother Roger Kempf.
Survivors include his loving wife, the former Sharon Lee Coutu, whom he married November 24, 1985 in Engadine; siblings Yvonne Feneley, Mary (Wilbur) Freeman, Dawn (Roger) Berry, Joan Troyer, Flora McEvers and Gail (Robert) Trammel; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Graveside services will be held Monday, August 23, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Engadine Cemetery in Engadine.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Frank Keller
August 23, 1926 – August 7, 2021
World War II veteran Frank (Bud, Tom) Keller, 94 of Gould City, passed on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Jacobetti Home for Veterans, attended by family, friends, and caring staff members.
An Elder of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippawa Indians, Eagle Clan, Ogema Onakwet (Chief Cloud) was born August 23, 1926, to William (Bill) and Bethel (Ward) Keller, then of Milliken, MI. The family moved to Gould City when his father, a lighthouse keeper, was assigned to Lansing Shoals Lighthouse. Frank attended school in Gould City until the 10th grade, when he went to work for the Mackinac County Road Commission.
In 1944, Frank enlisted in the Navy, training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center and ATB Camp Bradford, Norfolk, VA, before being assigned to LST974. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, island hopping to Japan. One memorable event was hearing “Keller, report to the bridge,” where he took the helm to guide the vessel to safety during the typhoon off Okinawa because he never got seasick.
After Japan surrendered, LST974 remained in the South China Sea, transporting Japanese prisoners from China to Japan. Nicknamed the Padre by his fellow sailors he received his discharge “ruptured duck” in June 1946 and returned to Gould City. Mr. Keller has a brick in his honor at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and was aboard the Inaugural Upper Peninsula Honor Flight on September 22, 2011, to Washington, DC.
He married Phyllis (Peggy) Irwin on June 21, 1947, and raised three children in Gould City. Many hours were spent camping at Scott’s Point and the Steak Fry in Simmons Woods, fishing, hunting, cutting wood, and playing pool while enjoying beverages with friends. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan, enjoyed raising tomatoes and visits to the casino. In his younger days, he played baseball with the local teams, tossed horseshoes and participated in the annual “Battle of the Bars” golf tournament.
Mr. Keller worked in road construction and drove truck hauling logs, gravel and picking up fish from the local fishermen, where he earned the title, “Godfather of Fish” from the young “fella’s” in the fish sheds. After retirement, not able to stay away from driving, he drove for the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Elder Services and he also transported the Gould City Golden Girls to social events.
A lifelong member of Engadine VFW Post 8372, and American Legion Post 290’s last WWII veteran, he was the flag bearer in the Honor Guard, marched in parades, and cut fish for the Friday Fish fry. In addition, Mr. Keller was a member of the Gould City Community Church, Manistique Eagles, Newton Township Historical Society, the Naubinway Elders group, and formerly served on the Gould City School Board.
He is survived by his older sister, Kathleen Vogl of St. Johns, his two daughters and their families, Vickie and Dan Griggs of Livingston, Texas, and Tammy and Bill Johnson of Middleville, MI; daughter-in-law Carole Keller of Gould City, six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Peggy, his son, Jeffrey, and special friend, Shirley Fisher Gunders.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1:00 pm, August 21, 2021, at Newton Township Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow from 4-7 at the Scott’s Point pavilion with meats, drinks, and music. Bring a dish to pass, if desired. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank’s name to Gould City Community Church or the Newton Township Historical Society Veterans Memorial fund. Fausett Family Funeral Homes of Manistique is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences can be posted on their website at www.fausettfh.com
Joyce Opal Webb
May 6, 1935 – August 11, 2021
Joyce Opal Webb, age 86, of Potterville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings. She was born May 6, 1935, in Howell, the daughter of Joseph and Helen (Poole) Anderson.
Joyce was raised in Michigan’s upper peninsula in the town of Curtis. She was proud of her home town. At a young age she worked at The Eat Shop in Curtis and it was there that she met a handsome young man by the name of Donald Rex Webb. On November 1, 1952, they married in Manistique, Michigan. From a young age Joyce had an affinity for horses that would turn into a life long passion. In her spare-time she enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and cross stitching. She had a tremendous sense of humor and could light up a room with just her presence. Joyce loved to dance and had an abundant amount of energy. But first and foremost, she adored her children and grandchildren.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 69 years, Donald; children: Donald Webb of Northville, Sandy (Wayne) Simpson of Charlotte, Sheryl (Jeff) Towe of Charlotte, Cindy Albrecht of Dimondale, Daryl Webb of Potterville, Randy (Helen) Webb of Manistee; 14 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; several great great-grandchildren; siblings: Jim (Norena) Anderson of Curtis, Judy Anderson of Manistee; Jack Anderson of Lansing, Steve Anderson of Perry; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Tom Anderson, Patricia Smith, Charlie Anderson; parents-in-law, Jesse and Louise Webb; and sister-in-law, Vi Webb Shope.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 2 P.M. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with Laura Cooper officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Those desiring, may make contributions in Joyce’s memory to the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center. Please make checks payable to LEAF and mail to Lansing LEAF 2901 Wabash Road, Lansing, MI 48910.
To view Joyce’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com
