• Wednesday-What'sUP April 30 - 10:31 pm

The end of another month arrives and we pause to remember those friends and relatives that have gone on before us:

We warmly remember Pastor Charles Hocking, who passed away this month. I'm reminded of an evening at Gitche Gumee Bible Camp - decades ago (in my younger days) - at the end of a youth week in which Charles was the missionary speaker, and I had served as the sports/program director. The campfire service is the final get together at Gitche Gumee, giving the campers and staff a time to say goodbye. Charles Hocking and I were sitting in the front row, across from Charles Hart, the Director Emeritus.

It is customary to have a final prayer at the end of the campfire service. Mel Jones (the current director) was doing the wrap-up, and finally at the end he said, "Charlie, will you close in prayer."

Dutifully, all three of us "Charlies" began praying at the same time.

There was a wave of chuckles and four red faces as Mel clarified as to which "Charlie" he intended to close in prayer. I honestly can't remember if it was Rev. Charlie Hocking or Charlie Hart who did the honors. All I remember is - it wasn't me. I was too busy holding in the laughter. But I do remember Charles Hocking's smile afterwards when we shook hands.

One more thing... After my years of running the sports and outdoor activities for the kids at camp, I had to pass the baton on to younger guys. (Not so much because of the years, but rather the miles). Most recently those duties have been anchored by Eric Byykkonen, whose father Dan was already mentioned by Mary. Eric gave a beautiful remembrance of his father at the funeral this month, and it's special to have today's picture from Eric's young sister Ashley, to honor their dad.

What a gorgeous picture...

Blessings!

Today, April 30, 2008, would have been my father's 100th birthday! Happy Birthday, Daddy! I miss you more than you will ever know. (He died on February 14, 1985.) I miss the fact that you never gat a chance to watch my three sons, as they are growing up. You would have been so proud that my oldest son, Tommy is graduating from Michigan Tech this Saturday, May 2, 2008, with two separate Bachelor's Degrees in two different departments. We know that you will be there with us in spirit! I will love you forever!

George Cornelie, a former Great Lakes freighter sailor and a pinochle partner of my mother, died yesterday in Petoskey. He will be greatly missed.

It certainly sounds as if Carl "Dan" Byykkonen was born into the
right piece of geography and enhanced that special place for his
family, friends and residents of the Copper Country. What a lovely
tribute and photograph.

Isaiah 26:19
But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.

Our thoughts are with our loved ones who have passed on, Norman and Helen Pooley, Ed and Sophie Kuusisto, Aunt Lyle Pooley, Janet Trasti, Karen Kuusisto, our buddy Nitz and our brother in law and friend, Wayne Hartmann. We love you and you are always in our hearts.

Please Remember The Servicemen And Women Who Have Made The Ultimate Sacrafice This Month.Steven I Candelo 20,Terrell W Gilmore 38,Durrll L Bennett 22,Patrick J Miller 23,Jevon K Jordon 32,William G Hall 38,Dayne D Dhanoolal 26,Travis L Griffin 28,Charles A Jankowski 24,Nichoas A Robertson 27,Emanuel Pickett 34,Ulisis Burgos-Cruz 29,Matthew T Morris 23,Shane D Penley 19,Richard A Vaughn 22,Stephen K Scott 54,Stuart A Wolfer 36,Jeremiah E McNeal 23,Timothy M Smith 25,Jason C Kazarick 30,Mark E Rosenberg 32,Jeremiah C Hughes 26,Jeffery L Hartley 25,Shaun P Tousha 30,Anthony L Cappa 31,Jacob J Fairbanks 22,Jesse A Ault 28,William E Allmon 25,Arturo Huerta-Cruz 23,Joseph A Richard ed 27,Richard J Nelson 23,Dean D Opicka 29,Luke J Mercardante 65,Kyle W Wilks 24,Jason L brown 29,Lance O Eakes 25,Benjamin K Brosh 22,Adrian M Campos 22,Cherie L Morton 40,Steven J Christofferson 20,Adam J Kohlhaas 26,Ronald R Harrison 26,Matthew R Vandergrift,Guadalupe Cervantes-Ramirez 26,Jordan C Haerter 19,Jonathan T Yale 21,John T Bishop 22,Timothy W Cunningham 26,Ronald C Blystone 34,Shaun J Whitehead 24,David P McCormick. 4,063 Killed,29,829 Wounded.

Status Changed From Missing-Captured to Killed,Keith Matthew Maupin 24.

Oh Alex.....what a wonderful verse to have in my heart for the day.....What hope do those who don't know Christ personally, have. I rejoice in the thought of seeing my loved ones and friends again....!!!!

So sorry to see Mildred Hawkins has gone on. She and her husband were two wonderful, funny, love to be around people.

Gary Mills....one of my favorite customers at Louies.

I will miss these wonderful people....

God's blessings and comfort to all these familes in their loss........and to all of you....My prayer is that each of you may know the peace and comfort in the arms of Jesus.....To know him is to love him.

What a great picture today! Today I remember my dad as well, R.L. Johnson, 11/23/15 - 11/23/88. And it was 5 months ago today my family said "goodbye" to Lucky our 10 1/2 yr. old Doberman Pinscher. The pain in our hearts is still so intense yet today! God Bless you and yours on this site!

This is a wonderful picture of my uncle and helps us think of him as peaceful. Dan was a great uncle, always trying to make me smile, always taking an interest in my life, and he tried countless times to teach me to water ski. He will be dearly missed!

Gary Mills was a good friend of my father's and he was always so nice to me through the years.

Whitney-Jo was a young camper of mine at Bay Cliff. She'll always have a special place in my heart.

These people, along with another good friend that passed 2yrs ago, are truly an inspiration to me to live life to the fullest and to help people whenever you can.

Remembering my wife Lori who loved the Keweenaw so much, it won't be the same going there without you.

In memory of my father, Jerry Pranger, who died 5 years ago today.

Dan you will be missed! I have many great memories of playing ice hockey with you and getting to know you as a person. You did a great job of raising your family and I have a terrific brother-in-law for your efforts!

For all the service members who were killed.

Now that SSG Matt Maupin is finally home, may he rest in peace.

A really cool shot!

Love the picture! Remembering Mrs. Wager who died last night after a long illness. She was the mother of two elem. students and two high school students here, and there is a lot of sadness today. She was the type of mom that was involved in everything at the school.

Danny is my brother in law who I've known since I was 11. He was one of a kind, always teasing and boy did we pick at each other! He was KIND enough to drive his truck pulling the trailer announcing my 50th birthday in the 4th of July parade last summer! Thank you Danny!
Danny was first of all a great husband, to my sister, always putting Judy first. He was a great father and grandfather too. Ashley is and was his pride and joy, especially after having 3 boys,(which he cherished) and then 18 years later a GIRL! Then came the 3 grandkids, which he was also so proud of.
This picture also makes me think of Danny at Peace! He loved it when they went to the camp for many summers, having people come out and visit, the fires, boat rides, water skiing (which he still did on one ski!), he especially loved the sunsets!
As my heart aches for my sister Judy, Ashley and family, I know they find Comfort in the wonderful memories and they shared!
God's Peace to Danny and God's Peace and Comfort to Judy, Ash, the boys and their families! Love you guys.

Mary

The last time I saw my cousin Danny Byykkonen was at the lake last summer when I was home for a visit. The photo just seems so fitting, and appropriate. Well done Ashley. It brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful tribute and memorial for those of the relatives who could not be there for the funeral. I look toward the day when we will all be together again "on that peaceful shore" forever.

Sending my condolences to the family of Gladys Myers from my old neighborhood. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Laure P.

Remebering our dad who died on April 17th, many years ago. We miss you.

Dennis and Larry Korpi

TODAY IS MY UNCLE'S BIRTHDAY== GEORGE CARL KOWALSKI. WAS A KOREAN WAR VET, HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND MY UNCLE.

In memory of my father, Louis G. Koepel, who passed away 10 years ago this April 12th. I still miss him so much. He was a real gentleman.

Days end! Tremendous picture Ashley.
Remembering my mother, Marquerite Oesterle, who died April 8, 1997. Also two neighbors who died this week, Eileen Dalton and Juanita Hensleit. I will always have great memories of the 3 of them.

happy birthday uncle george.

Mr.Koepel was a kind and gentle man. He would always take the time to say hello. Truly a great man, and his wife was also a wonderful person to know. I miss seeing them when I go to Hubbell, they would be at church and always take the time to greet me and my family. I also want to remember my mother Katherine Stanton Du Long. Best mother a boy could have. My Andrea, the Irish dancer, called her the old grandma. She was the only grandkid of mine who knew her. There are only a few of the Du Long cousins of my generation left. In memory of all of them.

Exceptionally great picture today.

My heart goes out to all people who have lost people--and haven't we all?

In memory of my Aunt Cal that died 3 years ago. She is missed and thought about each and everyday. I wish she was still here.

In loving memory of Aunt Margie - who went Home suddenly on April 12 - one day after her & Uncle Dean's 54th wedding anniversary. We grew up living next to her & Uncle Dean and our lives were woven together for lo! these many years. This picture looks like a place we also spent many years enjoying - on the shores of the 'southern' Torch Lake. I hope she is rejoicing in the fellowship of her parents and her sister who went on before her.

So sad to hear of Pastor Hocking leaving us and going to Heaven. But, he sure isn't sad about it, getting to meet his Lord and Saviour. I bet my dad, Bill Paull was excited to see him too. They were great pals in the 'copper country'. A great reunion in Heaven it must have been. It has been many years since I have seen the Hocking family, but when I was 'little' we had good times together when they were home from the mission field.

In loving memory of Uriah Sutinen, who left us
on April 22, 1997. We will always cherish the
memories of him.

In Memory of mom and dad, John & Betty Ravasz.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;blessed be the name of the Lord.
The picture is a lovely and peaceful one and one of my personal favorites.

The above quote is from Job 1:21.

In memory of Wayne Jackola, born in Redridge, died in Farmington, MI in 2005. He was my great uncle but he was more of a grandfather to me and great grandfather to my son Colin. It was Uncle Wayne who introduced Colin to Trenary toast. An addiction was born. He was a sweet and wonderfully loving man.

In memory of Kenneth Eggleston who died April 8, 2008

Mr. Koepel's son was my band teacher at Lake Linden-Hubbell High. He was a great teacher. Everybody liked him. I believe he is dead also. So sad.

Also remembering my younger cousin, Rick Meyers, who died in his sleep this past weekend. He was much too young to die. He was my ring bearer when I got married in 1971. Rick will be missed by his parents, sister, brother, grandmother (who will be 100 in August) and many other close relatives.

Super picture Ash! It struck me the moment I saw it at your Dad's showing. I'll remember Dan as a patient, soft-spoken gentleman with a very good sense of humor. I can recall being at Eric's birthday parties and he would go sledding and play hockey with all us boys, we had a great time. He will be missed. Blessings to your family.

Thank you to everyone for the kind comments and e-mails about the photo today.It was such a happy time.Dan always called out to us to watch the sunsets. Ashley's dad was so special to her and to all of our family and will be so deeply missed.Life will never be quite the same.Thank you to all who have embraced our family through this trial.You have warmed our hearts.God bless you all!

In memory of my dear friend Philip Kestie. I miss you.

Carolyn: Your uncle was a wonderful man. He was a friend of my
father's and one of the hardest workers at the Finnish Center. What
a sweet face he had. I'm not surprised his family treasured him
too.

This is an amazing picture. Today, I am missing my son, Kurt. Even at 13, he enjoyed sunsets over Lake Superior. My life will never be the same. Thankfully, by the grace of God, I will continue on one day at a time, until I can join him in heaven.

Kosk,

Thank you for the sweet words about Uncle Wayne. He loved the Finnish Center. I used to love getting the newsletter because I'd often see his picture doing something or other there. He is greatly missed in our family (he had no children but you wouldn't know it by the way he was loved by his nieces and nephews and their kids/grandkids).

Ashley, I am so sorry to learn of your father's death due to a fall. It was 3 years ago on 4-29 that I lost my husband from a fall here at home.It is always such a shock when something like this happens. We stil miss him a lot. You and your family are in my prayers.

This is beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing.

A few days late, but wanted to include Ed Goulette, who passed away April 9, and Bob Mackey from downstate Clam Lake Township, who passed away April 24. Both will be missed.

Thank you for your lovely picture, Ashley, and for sharing when your heart is aching. Your dad was a terrific guy!

In memory of my grandfathers, Mala and Tapio. Also in memory of Ray Wiig, Lee Sjoholm, Gina Maki, Bob Maki, and Beth Forslund.