Breaking News

Obituaries

JAMES RICHARD GROHOWSKI

James Richard Grohowski, 87, of Alpena passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at his home. James was born on Aug. 5, 1934, to the late Michael and Pelagia (Buza) Grohowski in Rogers City. He graduated with the class of 1952 from Rogers City High School. He married Patricia Kelley on June 2, 1956. They celebrated their 66th anniversary recently. Jim was employed at the Besser Company in Alpena for 44.5 years. Jim was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and a past member of the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed camping, golfing, Red Wing hockey, and Detroit Tigers baseball. He was known for ...

RAYMOND J. STEPANSKI

Raymond J. Stepanski, age 94, of Alpena passed away on July 19, 2022. Ray, affectionately known as ‘Ripper,’ was born on Oct. 25, 1927, to the late Joseph Sr. and Elizabeth (Romel) Stepanski in Alpena, Michigan. He joined the United States Army Infantry in 1946 and proudly served as a TEC 4 in Japan. He married Dora Jean Dubey on June 19, 1954, at Saint Anne Catholic Church. He was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church and served as president of the Usher’s Club for many years. He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 529. Those who knew ‘Ripper’ ...

SPENCER W. COOTWARE

Our community sadly lost an important member of the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on July 25, 2022. With sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Captain Spencer W. Cootware of Naples, Florida. Spencer was born Feb. 13, 1961, in Tupper Lake, New York to the late Harold and Lillian Cootware. Spencer was a flight attendant with Delta Airlines for 25 years. He enjoyed the opportunities to travel and explore life in the big cities. Following that career, Spencer moved to Naples, Florida where he owned a sign business for a few years before becoming a bail bondsman. ...

ANTHONY JOSEPH GRANT

Anthony Joseph Grant of Ossineke, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Tony was born on April 7, 1944 in Oscoda, Michigan to the parents of Evelyn and George Grant. After graduating from Oscoda high school he went on to get his degree from Central Michigan University. His teaching career started at Unionville, Sebewaing schools where he taught math and coached football and softball. He later became principal of the middle school, high school and also became the director of the athletic department. After 30 years he retired and spent his time enjoying his beloved camp with friends and ...

MARIANNE KALIVODA HALL

Marianne Kalivoda Hall (Kellie) was born in Oak Park, Illinois October 9, 1931. She was a lifelong Cubs’ fan. Her parents were the late Joseph and Olive Kalivoda. She was very proud of her 100 percent Bohemian heritage (now the Czech Republic). She graduated from Oak Park High School in 1949 and entered Carleton College that fall. She met Beach, the love of her life, at a first-year picnic and they started dating shortly thereafter. At the picnic, a high school friend introduced her to Beach by her nickname Kellie and he called her Kellie the rest of her life. Kellie was one of the ...

LUCILLE ‘LOU’ LaMARRE

Lucille “Lou” LaMarre of Alpena passed away peacefully at Besser Senior Living Community on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at the age of 98. Lou LaMarre was born in Alpena on May 27, 1924 to the late Walter and Mary (Maciejewski) Donakowski and married F. ”Joe” LaMarre on Oct. 5 1946 at St Marys Catholic Church. Together Lou & Joe enjoyed 66 years of marriage. Lou & Joe built a beautiful life enriched by their friends, family, and travels across the globe. Lou made friends wherever she went and always made you feel at home. She often told stories of how she loved ice skating, ...