November 2023

Beverly Louise Ghiardi, age 84, of Munising, died surrounded by love early Friday morning, November 10, 2023 at Medilodge of Munising. Beverly gracefully fought dementia for almost twenty years. She was born on June 24, 1939 in Munising to Willard “Boy” and Bertha (Hixon) Depew. Beverly graduated from Sacred Heart School and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1957. Bev was the first female percussionist in Munising’s history. She was a hard worker throughout her life and worked at the A & P Grocery store in high school. Bev then went to work for Kimberly Clark shortly after graduation. Her brother Jim brought his best friend and college roommate home for a visit to Munising. David Ghiardi came to Munising as Jim’s friend and left as Bev’s boyfriend. They were married on December 26, 1960 and together raised their three children. The family spent countless days and nights with Jim and Laurie Depew and family. Those cousins were like brothers and sisters. Some of the family’s most enjoyable memories were at 16 Mile Lake being together and playing euchre and pinochle. Bev had briefly left the mill to raise her kids but returned to the mill and retired after twenty-six years. She spent most of that time in Planning and Customer Service, and Beverly worked alongside her father and her daughter Kathy at the mill.

Eleanor M. Bell, age 105, of Shingleton, died Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility in Manistique. She was born on September 23, 1918 in Germfask, Michigan to the late James and Margaret (Batway) Berry. Eleanor graduated from Germfask High School in 1936. She met James Bell while he was working at a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, and they were married on October 18, 1938. Eleanor worked for the United States Postal Service for many year and retired in the 1980’s. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Hospital Auxiliary, and St. John’s Episcopal Church. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, rides in the woods, picking berries, and quilting. Eleanor is survived by her children – Ronald Bell of Shingleton and Karen (Edward) Dziak of Mosinee, WI; grandchildren – Gary (Tonia) Dziak, Chritine (Tim) Goldsmith, and Cassie (Ben) Steinhoff; great-grandchildren – Kian, Matthew, Leslie, Mason, Grayson, Caitlin, Cassidy, Callie, Lorelei, Courtney, Monica, and Natalie; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Margaret; husband – Jim; son – Donald Bell; daughter-in-law – Iris Bell; granddaughter – Melissa Syers; and sisters – Dorothy Davis, Janette Mannila, and Beatrice Miller.

Shawna King, age 48, of Munising, died late Wednesday evening, November 8, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness. She was born on November 25, 1974 in Munising to Leonard and Linda (Schierschmidt) Martin. Shawna graduated from Munising High School in 1993. During her senior year, she interned as a teacher’s aide and found that she loved working with children. She went to work as a paraprofessional at AuTrain-Onota School. Shawna then started childcare for numerous children over the years. She loved caring for those kids and treated them all like they were her own. Shawna also worked at the casino and a coworker wanted to introduce Shawna to her brother. She and Perry King were married on August 16, 1997. Shawna and Perry enjoyed side by side rides in the woods, family camping trips at Colwell Lake, and just being together for a movie or date night. A night at home with Perry and her dogs, always made Shawna happy. She loved being a dog mom until they misbehaved and then she yelled at Perry for not training them better. Shawna was so proud of what Perry and Alger did with the Alger County K-9 Unit and was an integral part of their social media presence. She had plans to help train the new dog, Finny, so she could assist on Search and Rescue with Perry and the K-9 unit.