Clete Andrew Balbough

Clete was born in Sault Ste. Marie, on March 24, 1948, to Cletus David and Vienna Catherine Balbough. He grew up in various Michigan Wilderness State Parks, graduating from White Pine High School in 1966. He married Joanne Bush on February 21, 1976, in White Pine. Together they raised their daughters, Tawnee and Sarah. As a family they enjoyed many outdoor adventures including camping, boating, fishing, snowmobiling and skiing.

Clete worked for 32 years at the White Pine Copper Mine. He worked many aspects of the mining industry but enjoyed being a maintenance man the most. When the mine closed he was employed for five years constructing, and then managing, the Subterra greenhouse within the White Pine mine. He ended his career working seasonally at the Porcupine Mountain State Park.

Clete is survived by his wife, Joanne, daughters Tawnee Phillips of Decatur, and Sarah Balbough of Plainfield, Connecticut. He leaves behind two grandchildren, Aimee Wolf, 26, an Architect in Brooklyn, New York, and Ryan Phillips, 21, studying Music Theory and Composition at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. Clete was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, David.

A celebration of life will be held in June, with a graveside memorial service in Ahmeek. Donations can be made to the Ontonagon County Cancer Society and blood donations may be given in Clete’s honor during the annual county blood drive.

Clete’s family wishes to extend our heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses of Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital for the excellent and loving care he was given.

Condolences can be left at canefuneralhome.com.