Obituaries

David J. Gapinski, Jr.

David J. Gapinski, Jr.

Jan 6, 2026

David J. Gapinski Jr., 91 of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at McLaren Northern Michigan.

Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, where the rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM.

Visitation will continue at 9:00 AM Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at St. Mary Cathedral, where...

Katherine Ann Knake

Katherine Ann Knake

Jan 5, 2026

Katherine Ann Knake, 81 of Alanson, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026 at home.  In keeping with her wishes, her family will remember her privately.

Jon Alan D'Agostino

Jon Alan D'Agostino

Jan 4, 2026

Jon Alan D'Agostino, 77 of Lewiston, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Medilodge of Gaylord.  In keeping with his wishes, his family will remember him privately.

Phyllis M. Green

Phyllis M. Green

Jan 4, 2026

Phyllis M. Green, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully departed this life on January 4, 2026, at the age of 89 in Grayling, MI. Born on January 27, 1936, in Johannesburg, MI, Phyllis was a beacon of love and warmth to those who knew her.

Phyllis graduated from Boyne City High School and married the love of her life, James....

Theresa Marie Southard

Theresa Marie Southard

Jan 4, 2026

Theresa Marie Southard, 73 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Sunday, January 4, 2026.  

Born on April 21, 1952, in Bethesda, MD, Theresa was the daughter of Larner and Joan Peak.  She is survived by her daughter, Andrea O'Reilly of Gaylord; grandchildren, Kenneth Shubitowski, Brandon (Sarah) Clifton, Curtis Haenftling, all of Gaylord, and Susan(Gary) Slaughter from Alabama; 5 great...

Donna S. Bigness

Donna S. Bigness

Jan 3, 2026

Donna Susan (Campbell) Brown Bigness was born on September 1, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, to William D. Campbell and Dorothy "Pat" (Nagy) Campbell. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to their home in Wayne, Michigan, where Donna grew up and graduated from Wayne Memorial High School in 1957.

In 1959, Donna married Dennis Brown in Westland, Michigan. Together they shared three beloved...

Norman Clements

Norman Clements

Jan 2, 2026

Norman Robert Clements was born on September 24, 1933, in Hastings, England and passed away on January 2, 2026, in Petoskey, Michigan at 92 years of age. Norm was a beloved son of Arthur and Hilda Clements and had five siblings Edwin, Ella, Eileen, Gladys, and Gordon.

Norm is survived by his two daughters Catherine Dockery and Cynthia (Gary) Wiegand....

Gary K. Cottrell

Gary K. Cottrell

Jan 2, 2026

With sadness we announce the passing of Gary Kenneth Cottrell on January 2, 2026, at the age of 78. Gary passed away at McReynolds hall in Gaylord, surrounded by his loving family.Born on April 23, 1947, in Grayling, MI, Gary was the son of Kenneth and Marian (Cherwinski) Cottrell. He spent his youth in Vanderbilt, graduating from Vanderbilt High School...

Joseph Edward Smilowski

Joseph Edward Smilowski

Dec 30, 2025

Joseph Edward Smilowski, born on December 5, 1945, in Grayling, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, at the age of 80.

Joe was a devoted family man, a dedicated construction professional with expertise in heavy machinery, and a proud Vietnam War veteran. His life was defined by hard work, respect, perseverance, and service-to both his country and his family....

Carol L. Dezur

Carol L. Dezur

Dec 30, 2025

Carol L. Dezur, 77 of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Munson Medical Center. 

A full obituary will be updated.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below. 

Jerry M. Wachter

Jerry M. Wachter

Dec 26, 2025

Jerry M. Wachter, age 76, most recently of Gaylord, Michigan, passed away on December 26, 2025 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He had been a cancer survivor since 1977 when he defeated Hodgkins lymphoma.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jerry attended Ottawa Hills High School and later graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in...

Michael H. Adams

Michael H. Adams

Dec 26, 2025

Michael Harvey Adams, 76, of Johannesburg, MI (formerly Alpena, MI) passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital.

Mike was born in Hillsdale, MI, the son of Erma (Price) and Elwood Adams and beloved younger brother to Marion, Rosalie, Linda and Barbara. He graduated from North Adams High School and attended Eastern Michigan University, where he...

Kevin Whitman

Kevin Whitman

Dec 25, 2025

Kevin Clinton Whitman, lovingly known as KC or Casey, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at his home in Indian River, Michigan.

Kevin was the ninth child of DeWitt Clinton "Bud" Whitman and Grace Fitzpatrick Whitman. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers DeWitt Clinton, Mark Robert, and Christopher Fitz Whitman; his sisters Grace Dagwell and Laurel...

Mary J. Richards

Mary J. Richards

Dec 24, 2025

Mary Jane Richards, 63 of Cheboygan, passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at McLaren Northern Michigan.

The family has chosen to remember her privately.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.

Jason L. Grabowski

Jason L. Grabowski

Dec 24, 2025

Jason Lee Grabowski, born on June 22, 1977, in Cheboygan Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025, in Petoskey Michigan. He was the beloved son of John & Pamela Fairchild. His warmth and kindness left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

A proud graduate of Inland Lakes high school in 1997, Jason pursued a career as a handyman,...

Garry Wesley Spencer

Garry Wesley Spencer

Dec 23, 2025

Garry Wesley Spencer, 92 of Grayling, formerly of Houghton Lake, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at Crawford Continuing Care in Grayling.  In keeping with his wishes, his family will remember him privately.

Clyde E. McMichael

Clyde E. McMichael

Dec 22, 2025

Clyde E. McMichael, 82 of Petoskey, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025, at Bay Bluffs in Harbor Springs.

The family has chosen to remember him privately.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.

Randall K. Wilhelm

Randall K. Wilhelm

Dec 18, 2025

Randy Wilhelm, of Cheboygan and formerly of Saginaw, passed away on December 18, 2025 at the age of 82. He was born August 5, 1943. He was a cherished husband of 59 years, a devoted father, and a loyal friend whose presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born and raised in Saginaw, Randy graduated from Arthur Hill...

George M. Fletcher

George M. Fletcher

Dec 18, 2025

George M. Fletcher, 99 of Gaylord, passed away at home on Thursday, December 18, 2025.  His family has chosen to remember him privately.

James R. Payne, Sr.

James R. Payne, Sr.

Dec 18, 2025

James ‘Jim’ Robert Payne Sr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday, December 18, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mayree Payne, his brother Robert ‘Rusty’ (Libby) Payne, his children James Jr. (Mary) Payne, Gary (Corrina) Payne, and Victoria (Scott) Courterier. He also has 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and many...