Ella Vivian Skeans
Lifelong Newberry resident, Ella Vivian Skeans, 78, died Monday evening September 14, 2020 at Golden Leaves Living Center. Born December 23, 1941 in Newberry, daughter of George and Merida (Case) Sevarns, Vivian was a graduate of Newberry High School. In addition to being a devoted homemaker raising her family, she enjoyed camping, fishing, baking and spending time with her family. Vivian is preceded in death by her father George Sevarns; son Fred Skeans and siblings Clarabell, Punk and Gary.
Survivors include her loving husband, Robert, of Newberry; children Buddy (Georgia Fox) Alexander of Rexton, Julie Baker of Newberry, Raymond (Megan Puckett) Alexander of Newberry, Debbie Cummings of Newberry, Lisa (James Bristow) Granger of Newberry, Sherry (Jake) Loebach of St. Ignace, Ethel (Dave) Burke of Newberry and Denise (Bill Carpenter) Skeans of Newberry; 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild with one more to be expected; siblings Sherry (Clarence) Dumas of Newberry, Steve (Patricia) Sevarns of Newago, Henry (Jean) Sevarns of Prescott and Cecil (Linda) Sevarns of Newberry. Graveside services will be held Saturday September 19, 2020 at 12:00 noon at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry with Pastor Ronald Oberle officiating. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Joyce LaCross
Joyce LaCross (nee Kalnbach), 95, of Newberry, passed away peacefully on Sunday September 13, 2020 at the Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th, a Long Term Care facility in Rochester, Minnesota. Joyce was born January 25, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. Home was the Newberry, Engadine and the McMillan area on the Farm with Marguerite and Warren Kalnbach and four siblings: Helen Richards, Edith Belleville, Barry and Keith Kalnbach. Joyce graduated from McMillan High School. As she recalls these early years, many of her fondest memories were associated with being “side-kick” to Grandpa George Feneley while he ran his logging and custom sawmill business in Engadine. After High School, Joyce attended Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit to become a Registered Nurse in 1946. This career choice defined much of her life. The commitment to being a nurse led to 50 years of providing care and serving friends, family, and neighbors. Many in the community knew her as Joyce “The Nurse”. For the majority of her career she worked at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital as well as the Luce County Ambulance Service. She was also well known for her years of service to the community through volunteering for the American Cancer Society’s Mid-Winter Strawberry Social fundraiser and the Luce County Logging Museum. Her hobbies were sewing, making special baby blankets, quilting and raising a tomato/pickle garden for canning. Joyce was married twice, first briefly to William Nicholls of Newberry with two children Daniel and Linda. Later in 1964, Joyce married Charles “Chuck” LaCross (deceased) of Newberry and had one son David. Joyce is survived by her three children Daniel (Diane) Nicholls of Rochester, MN, Linda Spalding of Virginia Beach, VA, and David (Karen) LaCross of Lake Linden. Also surviving are six grandchildren Dylan Nicholls, Chris Spalding, Becky (Spalding) Bryson, Patrick Spalding, Ethan LaCross, and Lucy LaCross; brothers Keith (Ann) Kalnbach of Curtis and Barry (Cheryl) Kalnbach of Interlochen; brother-in-law Rodney Richards of McMillan; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Joyce is preceded in death by her husband’s William Nicholls and Charles LaCross; sisters Helen Richards and Edith Belleville; son-in-law Larry Spalding. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a gathering of family and friends will take place Friday September 25, 2020 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry. Masks and social distancing will be required. Private family graveside services will take place at the Engadine Cemetery. Memorials may be directed in Joyce’s name to the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, 502 West Harrie Street, Newberry, Michigan 49868. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Faye Ione Gribbell
Faye Ione Gribbell, 91, of Engadine, died Sunday morning September 20, 2020 at Golden Leaves Living Center in Newberry where she had resided for the past two and one-half years. Born March 29, 1929 in Tustin, Michigan, the fourteenth child of Elijah and Ora (Critzer) Griffee, Faye attend school in Tustin until transferring to Grand Rapids Creston for her senior year, graduating in 1946. Faye worked as a telephone switch board operator for Bell Telephone in Grand Rapids after high school graduation until her marriage to James Gribbell Sr. on November 14, 1947. In the late 1950’s, Faye became an attendant nurse at the Newberry Regional Mental Health facility and worked there until retirement. During retirement years Faye enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her hobbies included sewing, bread baking, country painting, playing SCRABBLE and reading mail-order catalogs. Faye was a long-time member of the Engadine United Methodist Church where she and her husband were lay speakers. They especially enjoyed speaking in the Grand Marais Methodist Church where they had many friends. She was also active in Michigan Farm Bureau. In addition to her parents, Faye is preceded in death by her husband James Sr. on December 5, 2013 and all fourteen of her brothers and sisters, many of whom were scattered around the United States. Her deceased sisters who lived locally were Effie Jacobson, formerly of Curtis, Oleta Newell, formerly of Gulliver and Ann Griffee, formerly of Engadine. Faye is survived by her children James (Rita) Gribbell Jr. of Havre de Grace, Maryland., Caroll (Thomas) Harper of Engadine and Jack (Liz) Gribbell of Engadine. The family includes ten grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who have been a great source of joy. Due to COVID virus concerns, a graveside service will be held Wednesday September 23, 2020 at 4:00 pm at the Engadine Cemetery in Engadine with Reverend Jackie Roe officiating. Due to the COVID restrictions, there will be no viewing or luncheon. Memorials may be directed to the Engadine United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157, Engadine, Michigan 49827 in Faye’s memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Jack Edward Miller
Lifelong Seney resident, Jack Edward Miller, 72, died Thursday September 17, 2020 at his residence. Born December 4, 1947 in Newberry, son of the late Isadore and Beatrice (Berry) Miller, Jack was a 1965 graduate of Newberry High School and received an associate’s degree in business from Muskegon Community College. Later on in his career he attended Bay De Noc Community College and earned his LPN license. On April 4, 1968, Jack was inducted into the United States Army serving in Germany during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on March 26, 1970 attaining the rank of SP5. Jack was employed for many years at the former Newberry Regional Mental Health Center and later as a case worker for the State of Michigan until his retirement. Jack was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, and metal detecting. In his younger days, he was also a beekeeper. He visited many pine camps and has an amazing collection of iron to show for all of his hard work. He was an avid bird enthusiast. He had chickens, ducks, guineas, doves, pigeons, peacocks, pheasants, all types of ducks including wood ducks, many types of geese, including Canadian geese, turkeys, rheas, and emus. He was commonly known as the “Seney Bird Man!” He also loved his beagle “Rusty Walker” with all of his heart. Rusty walked him every day and enjoyed greeting everyone along the way. He was also very fond of his nieces’ dog “Molly.” Jack is preceded in death by his parents Isadore and Beatrice. Survivors include his sister Susan (John) Nyman of Seney; niece Vicki (Robert) Sherbrook of Sturgis, South Dakota; nephews Robert Nyman of Grand Marais and Edward (Karyn Cloudman) Nyman of Seney; great-nephew Casey Ketcher of Manistique and great-niece Katie (Josh Tyler) Ketcher of Manistique. A full military graveside service will be conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard and the American Legion Post #74 of Newberry, on Wednesday September 23, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Whispering Pines Cemetery in Seney. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
James Ernest Dohn
James Ernest Dohn, 83, of Gould City, died Monday afternoon September 14, 2020 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital. Born December 3, 1936 in Detroit, son of the late Ernest and Louise (Trebesch) Dohn, James was a graduate of the former East Detroit High School (now Eastpointe). James was employed as a truck driver at Detroit Edison and later as a weigh master for Fauquier County in Virginia until his retirement. A resident of Gould City for the past 20 years, James was a member of the Naubinway Christian Fellowship Church, served on the Newton Township board of review and his hobbies included hunting and fishing. In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by his siblings Arnold Dohn, Donald Dohn, Dicky Dohn and Ruth Shelton. Survivors include his loving wife, the former Paula Hogan of Gould City, whom he married March 17, 1962 in Warren; children Sherryl (Ronald) Spencer of Catawba, Wisconsin and Marc Dohn of Gould City; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Per his request, cremation services were accorded with no public services scheduled. Memorials may be directed to the Naubinway Christian Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 127, Naubinway, Michigan 49762 in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Forrest James “Jim” Wicks
Forrest James “Jim” Wicks, 87, of Portage Township, died Wednesday morning September 16, 2020, at his residence in the presence of his loving wife, Margie, and his family. Born September 17, 1932, in Elk Rapids, son of the late Forrest and Amy (Wilson) Wicks, Jim was a 1950 graduate of Elk Rapids High School. Jim enlisted in the United States Army on April 7, 1952. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War and was assigned to the Army Security Agency. His unit monitored radio traffic of the Soviet troop, ship, and submarine movement. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksmanship. He was discharged on March 15, 1955, attaining the rank of Corporal. He remained in the Army Reserves until April 6, 1960. Following his honorable discharge, Jim attended Michigan State University in East Lansing and was a 1959 graduate receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in landscape architecture. As an avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed waterfowl hunting, fishing, and spearfishing. He often volunteered his time and talent teaching youth to fish and carve fish decoys. Jim’s greatest talent was woodworking. Jim entered his first decoy carving competition in 1967 and went on to win blue ribbons in several national and regional competitions. Jim’s work was recognized in 1987 when he represented the State of Michigan at the Annual Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. The event, sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution, invited Jim to display his spearfishing and waterfowl decoys on the National Mall. In 1988, Jim was the first waterfowl decoy carving artist to receive the Michigan Heritage Award. Many of his carvings can be seen in museums throughout the United States, most notably the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, the Wildfowl Museum of the Ward Foundation in Salisbury, Maryland, and the Betty Odine Wildlife Gallery (Marshlands Museum) in Gibraltar, Michigan. Jim also served as President of the Michigan Decoy Carvers and Collectors Association and was made a lifetime member. Over the years Jim shared his talent with other artists, teaching classes at the Michigan State University Museum, and several locations in the Lansing area and Curtis. As a resident of the Curtis/Germfask area for the past 33 years, Jim volunteered at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and the Erickson Center for the Arts. Jim and his wife Margie also ran the South Lake Decoy Shop in Curtis for many years. Their decoys can be found all over the world. In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his sister Ruth Sutter and stepson Bill Gleason. Survivors include his loving wife, Margie, of Portage Township; daughters Pam (Ed) Quinn of Hudson, Wisconsin, and Karen (Steve) Langhart of Dallas, Texas; stepson Jim (Kim) Gleason of Auburn; grandchildren Shannon and Kevin Quinn, Spencer and Amelia Langhart and Katie and James Gleason; sister Rosemary Wade of Bellaire; companion dogs Angel II and Jeannie; companion cats Hummer and Heidi. Jim was cared for by Northwoods Hospice. A memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will be held Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 11:00 am St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Curtis with Fr. Phil Witkowski officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Eva Burrell Animal Shelter, 6091W US Highway 2, Manistique, Michigan 49854 (www.upebas.org/donate) or the Erickson Center for the Arts, PO Box 255, Curtis, Michigan 49820 (www.ericksoncenter.org/support/donations.html) in his memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Kenneth Kamenczak
Kenneth Kamenczak, 84, of Curtis, MI passed away on June 9, 2020 at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique. He was born January 12, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, to Frank and Grace (Satkowski) Kamenczak. Ken graduated from St. Phillips High School, Chicago, Illinois. He was employed with Western Union at the age of 18. Shortly after, Ken was drafted into the United States Army where he traveled with the U.S. Army basketball team for two years before his honorable discharge. He then returned to his lineman job with Western Union where he later became the first fiber optics supervisor and continued his career for 40 years. On August 18, 1957 Ken married the love of his life, Rose Marie Lessard. Together the couple raised their three sons in Hickory Hills, IL before moving to Curtis, MI to enjoy retirement. Ken was an extremely talented carpenter with a creative spirit who enjoyed working with his hands and building. He traveled the country with his wife and loved the outdoors. He had a love for snowmobiling and was an avid fisherman in both Summer and Winter. He was a big Green Bay Packers fan. He was an usher for 25 years at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Curtis, MI and St. Therese, Germfask, MI. Ken is survived by his Loving Wife of 63 years, RoseMarie; and two sons, Kenneth & Barbara (Salev) Kamenczak, their son Andrew and daughter Lauren all of Tinley Park, IL, Michael Kamenczak of Miami, FL. Sister, Janice (Fred) Krueger of Park Ridge, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Harold, Son, Raymond, father & mother-in-law Alphonse & Rosemary (LeJeune) Lessard of Lynn, MA. Family will greet friends from 10:00 am-11:00 am on Saturday, September 26th at St. Timothy Catholic Church, N9153 Co. Rd. H-33, Curtis, MI with a celebration of the Catholic Mass immediately following. Burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Curtis along with a graveside Rosary. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Memorial contributions in Ken’s name may be directed to Marcy’s Pantry, W17455 Main Street, Curtis, MI 49820. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Skradski Family Funeral Home, 706 Wisconsin Ave., Gladstone, MI 49837. Please visit Ken’s personal page at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com
John Charles Diem
John Charles Diem, 71, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, a long-time summer resident (since 1954) to the Curtis area, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2020 after a long battle with multiple myeloma cancer and kidney failure. He leaves behind brothers Bill (Sylvie) Diem of Paris, France; James Garrett (Nancy) Diem of Newberry, Michigan, and sister Priscilla Sue Diem of Bay Village, Ohio; son James Forest Diem (Anna) of Hood River, Oregon; daughter Sarah (Diem) and Butch Cash of Grand Rapids, Michigan; step-daughter Jordan Wylie, also of Grand Rapids, Michigan; five grandchildren, three nephews and four nieces. He was preceded in death by is parents, William Roy and Martha Lou Diem.
Terrlyn Brodberg
Terrlyn Brodberg was welcomed through Heaven’s Gate and into Jesus’ loving arms on Thursday, February 27th, 2020. There will be a Celebration of Terrlyn’s life held Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Christian Fellowship Church – Naubinway Campus, with Pastor Tim Miller officiating. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the following: Christian Fellowship Churches, P.O. Box 127, W16121 Main St., Naubinway, MI 49762 and/or Love In the Name of Christ, PO Box 4, W14015 Melville St., Engadine, MI 49827. Condolences may be expressed at www.beau lieufuneralhome.com Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
