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Obituaries

Vern VanDrese

GLADSTONE — Vern VanDrese, 75, of Gladstone, passed peacefully in his sleep during an afternoon nap on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Vern is survived by his sister, Dolores (Mike) Goymerac; brother, Leland (Betty) VanDrese; and companion, Sherri Schorr. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 16th from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. A prayer will conclude the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Elks Lodge #354 in Vern’s name. A complete obituary will be forthcoming. The Crawford Funeral ...

Patricia L. Dittrich

ESCANABA — Patricia “Patti” Lynn Dittrich, 66, of Hyde, lost her fight with liver cancer on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at OSF St. Francis Hospital. Patti is survived by her husband of 47 years, Terry Dittrich; children, Cory (Stacy) Dittrich, Kristopher Dittrich, and Jesse (Brittany) Dittrich. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Highland Golf Course from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 12th. The Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard will have services for Patti at 11 a.m. The arrangements are in the care of Crawford Funeral Homes.

Timothy H. LeMire

WINFIELD, Ill. — Timothy Halligan LeMire, age 81, of Winfield, IL passed away on September 4th, 2026 after a brief illness. Tim grew up in Escanaba, MI, as the youngest of Dr. William II and Margaret LeMire’s 4 children. Tim attended Holy Name School in Escanaba and graduated in 1963. He ...

Dennis L. Ketcham

GLADSTONE — Dennis Leon Ketcham, age 72, passed away at Iron Mountain VA Medical Center on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Dennis was born on April 13, 1954, in Gladstone, Michigan, to Edward and Violet (Trenton) Ketcham. He attended Gladstone High School before proudly serving his country in ...

Patrick J. Madden

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Patrick "Pat" Joseph Madden, 60, passed away on Sept. 4, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Family will receive friends on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A funeral service will follow with military honors at 1:30 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements.

Francis Shepeck

GLADSTONE — Francis "Frank" Shepeck, age 66, of Gladstone passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by the Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone.