Obituaries

Diane L. Rantz, age 75, of Munising and formerly of Bristol, WI, died Sunday, October 22, 2023 at her home surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born in Evanston, Illinois on September 18, 1948, the second of four children to the late Edwin and Sophie (Laurich) Malaszewski. Diane grew up in Illinois but would spend her summers in the U.P. with family at Forest Lake swimming in the basin and playing at the dam. She graduated from Evanston High School in 1966. Diane married William D. Rantz on October 12, 1968 and together they raised their two sons in Mundelein and then Grayslake, IL. Diane was a loving wife and mother who supported her family in all they did. She worked multiple jobs in finance as a bookkeeper. Diane enjoyed bowling and bowled in leagues. Diane’s favorite pastime was horses. She loved riding with the Lake County Mounted Posse and the trails across the U.P. on her many horses she had over the years, but especially on her favorite horse Curley. Shortly after Bill died, Diane moved to Munising and made the shores of Lake Superior her home, enjoying the beautiful sunsets and watching the deer. Diane attended Sion Lutheran Church and enjoyed helping in the kitchen on their lunch committee. In these past couple years Diane found a truly loving partner in Mark Wilson. They enjoyed countless miles on the side by side through the backwoods, feeding the deer, and sharing their time and stories together.

Phyllis Cooper, age 82, of Munising and formerly of Delmar, CA, died Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at Medilodge of Munising surrounded by her son and daughter in California via technology and her daughter and grandson at her side. She was born on October 2, 1941 in Long Beach, California, the daughter of James and Allena (Brandon) Bock.

Shawna Grace DesJardins (nee Eckloff), age 58, passed away on Tuesday, October 24, at her home in Munising surrounded by her family and with her beloved wolf hounds, Shadow and Murphy, at her feet. She fought bravely but lost her second battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Eve Killips-Holmden, age 68, of Munising and formerly of Lansing, died Friday, September 1, 2023 at Munising Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family and caring hospital staff. She was born on November 1, 1954 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the second of seven children to Robert and Phyllis (Bray) Killips, Sr. Eve’s family moved from the Soo to Lansing and then back to the UP in Munising.

Kristine Elizabeth Fromm (LaFave), age 76, of Rochester, Michigan and formerly of Munising, Michigan died peacefully at home on Friday October 13th, 2023 following a long illness. Kristine was born to Ernest and Katherine LaFave, on December 21st, 1946 in Munising, where she later graduated from Sacred Heart School and Wm. G. Mather High School. Happily married for 57 years, Kristine was introduced to Howard “Vince” Fromm II at an early age, and they were wed on September 3rd 1966 in Sacred Heart Church, Munising.

James Wallace Duke, age 86, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 10, 2023. He was born on May 18th, 1937 to Josephine and Thomas Duke and raised on a farm with his 2 brothers and a sister. The family made the move from Texas to California during his school years. In high school, James joined the California Cadet Core, and so began his love of the military. As soon as he graduated, he enlisted in the Navy. It was during this time he met the love of his life Constance Marie.After 2 weeks they were wed.

Sean “Corn” Robert Cornish, age 52, of Munising, died peacefully and unexpectedly of natural causes at his home. He was born on April 21, 1971 in Munising to Robert “Corn” and Karen (Cota) Cornish. Corn grew up in Munising and played football for the Munising Mustangs. Sean entered the U.S. Navy and served during the Persian Gulf War. He was stationed in San Diego and Panama. Corn returned to Munising and began serving as a volunteer in the Munising Fire Department. He began employment for the City of Munising first as a fire truck driver and then he moved to the wastewater treatment plant. Corn then moved to the public works department and retired at age fifty. His first year of retirement put 12,000 miles on his truck as he he traveled across the country sightseeing and visiting family. Corn came home and went to work at the Pictured Rocks Golf Course as groundskeeper. He loved golfing. Corn also enjoyed riding his Harley with friends, hunting, and ice fishing. He was a past member of theAmerican Legion.