Breaking News

Obituaries

Cheryl Payne

Cheryl (Jonas) Payne died on September 11th at the age of 69. She was the daughter of Frederic “Fritzy” and Elaine Jonas. Having grown up with relatives in the Keweenaw, she spent many summer vacations in Laurium and Calumet and moved here briefly after graduating from high school. She loved the area for its natural beauty, its wildlife, and its many outdoor sports. Events then brought her to Los Angeles area where she lived for so many years and raised her beloved stepson, Evan Payne. But the attraction of the Keweenaw eventually brought her back to Gay for the remainder of her ...

Wayne Hackman

SOUTH RANGE — Husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Wayne Hackman, 74, of South Range, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, after a lengthy illness. Wayne was born in Fort Knox, KY on April 24, 1952, to Marvin Otto and Eleanor Flora (Somero) Hackman while serving ...

Ethel Moyle

WAUSAU — Ethel L. Moyle, a lifelong resident of Calumet, passed away peacefully in Wausau, WI on September 16, 2026, surrounded by family, following a brief illness. Ethel was born December 12, 1937, to Frank and Velma Dodge in Kearsarge, Michigan. Upon graduation from Calumet High School ...

Wade Yarger

GARDEN CITY, MI — Wayde G. Yarger, 67, of Garden City, MI, passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Aspirus Iron River Hospital. He was born on October 14, 1958, in Monroe, MI, the son of Olin Yarger and Janice (née Berta) Martinson. He graduated from Calumet, MI High School with ...

Michael Wiitala

CALUMET — Michael S. Wiitala, 68, of Calumet, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at his home. He was born in Ontonagon on April 18, 1958 to the late Wilmer and Joan Wiitala, and attended the Hancock Public Schools. He worked in construction most of his life, eventually as a self-employed carpenter. In his youth he enjoyed hiking, camping, and exploring the Keweenaw and old mining ruins. He continued his adventuring by motor bike as an adult, traveling along trails and backroads of the Copper Country. He was a voracious reader and looked forward to local used book sales. He ...

Raymond Jacques

IRONWOOD — Raymond Patrick Jacques – affectionately known as “Ray Ray” – was born December 1, 1959 to John and Aileen Jacques in Hancock. He passed away on September 14, 2026 at Westgate Nursing Home in Ironwood. Ray was the youngest of three rough and tumble Jacques brothers, ...