Obituaries for the week of 9/16/2026

Carol Mae Thackham
May 25, 1926 – September 8, 2026

Carol Mae Thackham, a cherished resident of Bradenton, FL, and Brimley, MI, passed peacefully on September 8, 2026, at the Bradenton Hospice House, concluding a remarkable century filled with life and enrichment.

Born on May 25, 1926, in Newberry, MI, to William Ross and Dorothy Nell (Bodi) Thackham, Carol was the fourth of seven siblings and the family’s treasured first girl. Growing up in Newberry brought her immense joy, and throughout her life she generously supported her alma mater, Newberry High School, and the Tahquamenon Education Foundation. Carol earned her undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan College of Education, now Northern Michigan University, and went on to receive her Master’s in Social Welfare from Florida State University in 1954. Her social work career began at Starr Commonwealth in Albion, MI, after which she joined the faculty at the University of Chicago in the Chicago School of Social Services Administration. Following her return to Florida, Carol dedicated the remainder of her career to the Hillsborough County school system, served as President of the Florida Association of School Social Workers, ultimately retiring as Supervisor of School Social Work Services.

A strong and independent spirit, Carol valued education, lifelong learning, nature, travel, and time spent with family and friends. Her adventurous side led her to obtain her first passport at age 32, embarking on journeys across the U.S. and beyond. Each trip was infused with learning experiences, from attending courses at the University of Oxford and King’s College along with return trips to England to research family genealogy, an educational exchange program in Cuba, teaching English to children in Italy, participating in an archeology dig in Belize, as well as missionary work with the First Congregational Church of Brimley, MI. Many of her explorations were generously shared with loved ones, and Carol’s own travels also spanned pre-1961 West Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Greece, Morocco, New Zealand and of course, Canada, her close northern neighbor of her Michigan Upper Peninsula summer home.

Carol was a devoted member of both the First Congregational Church of Brimley, MI, and the First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton, FL. She had a passion for singing, a love of classical music, and relished every opportunity to dance. Always engaged in creative projects, she ensured that no one in her company felt bored. Whether painting on Lake Superior rocks, driftwood or canvas, crafting clay pottery, caning antique chairs, picking blueberries, or trimming trees, Carol’s enthusiasm was contagious. She remained actively involved in the Brimley Historical Society and Friends of Pendills Creek Hatchery, enrolled in courses at Bay Mills Indian Community College, and was beloved across the communities of Bradenton, FL, Bay Mills, Brimley, Sault Ste. Marie, and Newberry, MI.

Carol has found eternal peace alongside her parents, older brothers and sisters-in-law Ernest (Bud) and Ethel Thackham, William (Bill) and Caroline Thackham, Richard (George) and Mary Thackham, younger brother, Gerald (Buzz) Thackham, baby sister Lois Ann (Thackham) and Tom Santer, and brother-in-law Howard Nebel. She is also reunited with her eldest niece Dorothy (Dotti) Lee Thackham, eldest nephew David Thackham, extended cousins, friends, and all her beloved pets.

She leaves a lasting legacy in the lives of those she touched including her dear sister Laura (Thackham) Nebel of PA; nephews William Thackham of TX, Kevin (Nancy) Santer of IL, Richard (Dana) Thackham of FL; nieces Lee Ann Thackham of TX, Elaine Waldron of FL, Lisa (Anjan) Santer of PA, Lori (Michael) Hudon of MI, Brigitte (Dean) Johnson of WI, Amy (Paul) McKaig of TX, Kathy (Winnie) Thackham of WI and Laura (Roger) Hall of NZ; six great nieces, ten great nephews, many great-grand nieces and nephews and dear friends.

A memorial celebration will be held with family and friends near her U.P. Michigan home at a later date. Memorial contributions can be sent to Boys & Girls Club of Bay Mills, 12435 W. Industrial Dr., Brimley, MI 49715.

 

Kathleen Marie Ackley
December 9, 1961 – August 13, 2026

Kathleen Marie Ackley, 64, of Germfask, MI passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026 at Upper Peninsula Health System in Marquette, Michigan, surrounded by her loved ones.

Kathy was born on December 9, 1961 in Lansing, Michigan to George and Diane Selby. She was one of seven children.

Kathy moved to the U.P. when she was quite young and spent the rest of her life up here. She spent her married life being a homemaker and a stay-at-home mom.

Kathy enjoyed being outside and loved spending time with her husband, Guy, and family and friends.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, George and Diane Selby, and her sister, Marrietta Selby.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Guy; stepdaughter Jessica (Carl) Case, stepdaughter Regina Ackley, son Kevin (Danae) Selby, daughter Jennifer Ackley, daughter Heather (Rodney) Kinnear, and son Lester Ackley; seven grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Announcements will be made.

As Kathy’s family grieves her loss, they are also facing another incredibly difficult time. Kathy and Guy’s son, Lester, has been transported to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is currently on life support.

A GoFundMe has been established to help the family with the expenses of traveling to Milwaukee to be by his side. For those who would like to help, any donation, prayer, or expression of support is deeply appreciated by the family. The GoFundMe can be found by searching for Guy Ackley on GoFundMe.

Condolence cards can be mailed to:
P.O. Box 254
Curtis, MI 49820

Death Notice

Auna Mae Kirkpatrick
March 25, 1933 – September 12, 2026

Longtime Newberry resident Auna Mae Kirkpatrick, 93, died Saturday evening, September 12, 2026, at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. Auna Mae was born March 25, 1933, in Newberry, the daughter of the late Toivo and Ethel (Stevens) Aho. Per Auna Mae’s request, cremation services were accorded. A gathering of family and friends celebrating Auna Mae’s life will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be shared at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.  A complete obituary will be announced by Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry.