Obituaries

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.

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.

Terry “Pooch” Monroe, age 71, of Shingleton, died early Thursday morning, November 2, 2023 at Medilodge of Munising. He was born in Munising on April 11, 1952 and raised in Shingleton by his mother, Dormalee Monroe. As a kid, he was a great catcher for the Shingleton Little League team. Pooch graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1970. He married Trudy Becker, and they raised their two children. They lived in Detroit where Pooch worked for TRW Automotive. The family moved back to the Upper Peninsula and Pooch worked at the White Pine Mine before going to work at Kimberly Clark in Munising. He used to love spending time with his friends at the Shingleton Gas Station. Pooch loved to travel, whether it was a cruise around town with his kids, road trip across the U.S. or tropical vacation to Hawaii or Jamaica he loved his trips. One of his yearly trips he enjoyed was to the U.P. State Fair, as well as the occasional trip to the Casino.

Carl Richard Saari, age 86, of Trenary, MI, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, MI,… Login to continue reading Login…

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.

Jackie M. Holkko, 81 of Stephenson, MI, formerly of Munising, MI, passed away on Wednesday October 25, 2023 at the Luther Home in Marinette, WI. Jackie was born on August 23, 1942 in Ishpeming, MI to Archie and Signe Holkko. Jackie worked as a bus driver for Marquette Transit for many years. Jackie’s passion was his prison ministry in Marquette that spanned over 30 years. He enjoyed reading and bowling. Survivorsincludehischildren:SusannahHolkkoofStephenson, MI, Rachel Holkko of AZ, Sharon (Bryan) McCormick of MO, Jeremiah Holkko of CA and Elizabeth Holkko of Michigan; and his 3 grandchildren: Inty, Joseph and Ruth. Jackie was preceded in death by his parents: Archie and Signe Holkko; and his brother: Raymond Holkko.

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.