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Obituaries

BETTY LOU ALEXANDER

Betty Lou Alexander, 66, of Alpena, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at her home. Betty was a kind, compassionate, and loving, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be dearly missed. She was born on Aug. 6, 1955 to William and Dorothy (Morris) Kalisch. Betty worked for Donnelly Corporation as an assembly line worker for over 30 years until her retirement. Betty enjoyed many things in life such as gardening, cooking (especially for her family), picking pine cones, and loved to take road trips. She also loved to go to the casino and went as often as ...

WILLIAM JAMES COLLINS

William James Collins, 68, of Alpena died at home on June 18, 2022, from lung cancer. He was born Oct. 30, 1953, to the late Fred and Irma (Couture) Collins. Bill was a lifelong resident of the area which he loved and made his home. From the beginning, Bill was known for his hard work and work ethic. He was never without a job, working for Crow Memorial, Alpena Paving, Overhead Door, Crittenden/DeVere, before retiring as a respected millwright from “millwrights” Local Union #1102 in 2015 for health reasons. Bill was an exceptional man who loved and valued his family and friends. ...

JEANNE AMELIA KLEIN

Jeanne Amelia Klein, 96, of Alpena went to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, June 19, 2022, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Jeanne Amelia Cole was born June 4, 1926, in Lachine, Michigan to the late Ivory and Anna (Olsen) Cole. On Aug. 7, 1948, she married Jack Klein. She was a foster parent for 12 children. Jeanne was a charter member of Huron Shores Fellowship. She enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking, and gardening. Jeanne also enjoyed working with children and teaching Sunday School. Surviving are her husband, Jack, three children, Sue Schwartz, Connie Hockersmith, Rob ...

RICHARD G. LaBONTE SR

Richard G. LaBonte, Sr., 78, of Ossineke passed away Monday, June 20, 2022, at home with his loving family by his side. Dick was born April 3, 1944, in Alpena to the late George and Hazel (Hubert) LaBonte. He was a lifelong resident of the area living his entire life on family farmland where he worked the soil. Dick was actively involved with the Boy Scouts for 30 years and served as scout master. He was a member of the FFA, the Knights of Columbus, the Tip of the Mitt Antique Tractor Association of Onaway, Pioneer Power Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club of West Branch, AuSable ...

RUTH MARIE PAULEY

Ruth Marie Pauley, 98, of Alpena, Michigan was called to her eternal rest with her heavenly father on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Ruth Wojtczak was born on April 10, 1924, to the late Joseph and Mary (Dziesinski) Wojtczak. She married Jack Pauley on Jan. 15, 1944, at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Together they were blessed with three children, Ronald, Mary Jo and Roger who were all raised in Alpena and grew up in the family home on Minor Street. Jack preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 1996. Ruth was a cornerstone (the face) of the Alpena A&P stores for 40 years. She enjoyed conversing in ...

EARLENE A. THOMPSON

Earlene A. Thompson, 92, died April 21, 2022, at the Brookdale Assisted Living Facility in Stuart, Florida. She was born to Earl and Jennie Kingsbury in Alpena, Michigan, where she was raised with siblings Darlene, Beverly and Lanny. She enjoyed sharing stories of her work at Alpena General Hospital and Pickett’s Drug Store before graduating from Alpena High School in 1947. She married Richard D. Thompson after his return from service in World War II. They began their 59-year marriage working side-by-side as owners of Thompson Sales and Service in Spruce and later Alpena. In ...