Breaking News

Obituaries

James J. “Jimmer” Mattila

Houghton — James J. “Jimmer” Mattila, 86, of the Houghton Canal area, passed away on Jan. 26, 2025 at U.P. Health System-Marquette Hospital. He leaves behind Karen, his wife of 66 years and children Lennon (David) Hughes, Lisa Mattila, and Lynn (Mark) Millane; five grandchildren; and numerous brothers, sisters, and other family members. A private family service will be held with a celebration of life to follow later this year. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in the name of James Mattila. The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock ...

Paul M. “Sonny” Mickalich

Baltic — Paul M. “Sonny” Mickalich, 88, a resident of Baltic passed away Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton Following a lengthy illness. He was born on Jan. 24, 1936, in TriMountain, MI, a son of the late Paul and Florence (Skoviak) Mickalich. Paul was raised in ...

Alan (Al) Roger Silvola

Alan (Al) Roger Silvola, 56, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 at home with his family by his side after a long battle with Huntington’s Disease. He was born on Jan. 28, 1968 in Manistique, MI to the late Roger Silvola and Donna (Lazenby) VanTiegham. He graduated from Hancock High ...

Barbara Ellen Kenny

Hancock — Barbara Ellen Kenny, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Canal View – Houghton County following a lengthy illness. Barb was born on Feb. 6, 1942, in Trimountain, to the late Werner and Mildred (Jokela) Kenny. She attended local schools before moving to Detroit where she worked as a waitress. Barb enjoyed word search and Sudoku puzzles. She was a family-oriented person who always put her family first and took care of the family home. She loved her pets and was very fond of cats and dogs. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by 4 brothers: ...

Joan M. Leinonen

Houghton — Joan M. (Niemi) Leinonen, 88, a resident of the Bluffs Senior Living Community in Houghton, and a former resident of Chassell and South Range, passed away Wednesday morning Jan. 22, 2025, at her home at The Bluffs. Born on Dec. 11, 1936, the daughter of the late William and Olga (Karna) Niemi. Joan was a high school graduate of the Doelle Agricultural School. Joan was united in marriage to George E. Leinonen of Otter Lake and throughout their married life they resided in the Detroit area, Ontonagon, Atlantic Mine and South Range. George preceded her in death in 2011. Joan ...

John D. Kolehmainen

Elo — John D. Kolehmainen, 76, a longtime resident of Elo, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Omega House in Houghton. Born on March 10, 1948, in Hancock, John was the son of the late John William and Lilly Anna Maria (Ohman) Kolehmainen. He grew up in Klingville and graduated from Chassell High School with the Class of 1966. After briefly attending Soumi College, he earned his teaching degree from Northern Michigan University. John’s career in education began in 1972 when he joined the Portage Lake Community Classes at Houghton High School. The following year, he ...