Michael R. Sawyer
November 2, 1992 – March 6, 2024
Lifelong Engadine resident, Michael Robert Sawyer, 31, died Wednesday morning, March 6, 2024 at his residence in Gould City.
Born November 2, 1992 in Manistique, son of Robert Sawyer and Yvonne (Streefkerk) Butkovich, Michael was a 2011 graduate of Engadine High School where he excelled in football. Michael was presently employed with Elmwood Farms in Gould City and enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and a lover of pet animals.
Michael is preceded in death by his father Robert; paternal grandmother Mary Ann Bozek; aunts Sandra Martin and Cindy Sawyer; uncle Jonathan Streefkerk.
Survivors include his loving mother Yvonne (Brian) Butkovich of Engadine; siblings Jayden Sawyer of Newberry and Brianna Midgyett of Engadine; maternal grandmother Teresa Tschirhart of Traverse City; uncles Howard (Rachel) Streefkerk of Texas, Donald Bozek of Engadine, David Sawyer of Manistique and Herbert Sawyer of Texas; aunts Lucy Organek of Texas and Donna MacLane of Engadine; several close friends including Donald (Rhonda) Clark of Gould City.
A gathering of family and friends celebrating the life of Michael will be held Saturday April 6, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Newton Township Hall in Gould City.
Memorials may be directed to the family in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Billy Stanton Nance
January 29, 1943 – March 5, 2024
Longtime Germfask resident, Billy Stanton Nance, 81, died Tuesday afternoon, March 5, 2024 at his residence in the presence of his loving family.
Born January 29, 1943 in Detroit, son of the late Herman and Ruth (Hall) Nance, Bill was a 1961 graduate of Huron High School where he excelled in football, track and band.
Bill was briefly employed with the United States Postal Service in Detroit during the 1967 riots before moving to the Upper Peninsula in 1968.
Bill was employed at the former Newberry Regional Mental Health Center for over 22 years, retiring as Shift Supervisor in 1991. Bill also was a volunteer for several years as an EMT for the Luce County Ambulance Corp. in Newberry.
Bill’s life was an example of the transformative power of God’s Word, which he loved to study and discuss. He was a witty conversationalist and enjoyed fellowship with friends & family-telling stories about the farm, the State Hospital, or his family, all with varied exaggerations. He loved being on a tractor in a hay field and shared his time doing so for a few local farmers. He brought us joy when he played the piano and shared his love of water with all of his kids. He was a wise and sizable man with a tender heart and great faith. He did not fear death, but rather rejoiced in it.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his wife Peggy Nance on October 17, 2020, grandson Bradley Cowen, aunt Nellie Gagnon and cousin Stacy Gagnon.
Survivors include his loving children Teressa Nance of Mt. Pleasant, Scott (Kris) Nance of Germfask and Chris Nance of Alanson; stepchildren Denise (Bill) Mattson of Grayling, Michael (Wendy) Mattson of Republic, Patrick (Pilar) Mattson of Sault Ste. Marie and David (Cheri) Mattson of Germfask; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; sister Ruth (Dan) D’Angelo of Flat Rock; nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Bill will be held Saturday May 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm at the Curtis Baptist Church in Curtis with Pastor Ray White officiating.
Memorials may be directed to Care Net Pregnancy Center of the EUP, 1420 Ashmun, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783 or at www.euppregnancyoptions.com in his loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Sally M. Wappes
August 17, 1934 – March 3, 2024
Sally M. Wappes, 89, passed away March 3, 2024 at The Springs in Mooresville.
She was born Friday, August 17, 1934 to the late Warren and Florence (Snyder) Harris in Newberry, Michigan.
Sally was a 1952 graduate of Manistique High School in Michigan. After graduation she met the love of her life, Jack Lee Wappes at a Fourth of July party while he was on leave from the military. They married on September 17, 1955 in Germfask, Michigan. In 1957, Sally and Jack settled in Martinsville. She worked for Dr. Stieglitz for 24 years as a paraoptometric. After leaving Dr. Stieglitz, she continued her work as a paraoptometric at Crosstown Eyecare for another 10 years. Sally was so committed to making sure everyone had the chance to see clearly, in 1993 she participated in the mission program Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) where she traveled to Honduras to distribute used eyeglasses.
Sally was a 60-year member of Eastern Star beginning with Martha Chapter #217. She held several offices during her time in Easter Star including President of the 6th District, Deputy, Page and Worthy Matron. After Martha Chapter closed, she became a member of Ninevah Chapter #466. Sally had also been a loyal member of her church. She was a member of Martinsville United Methodist Church for 45 years where she served as a District Officer. She then moved her membership to First Christian Church of Martinsville where she served as a deacon. Sally was a member there for 13 years. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Brooklyn Christian Church. Sally was also a dedicated member of the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by her son, Steve Wappes; brothers, Randy Harris, Roy Harris; special nephew, Paul Magnusson and his wife Nancy; caregiver, Julie Hardy.
Preceding her in death are her husband, Jack who passed August 15, 2014; daughter, Colleen Wappes; parents, Warren and Florence; sisters, Yvonne Magnusson, Wanda Harris.
Visitation will be Friday, March 15, 2024 at Costin Funeral Chapel from 3:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. An Eastern Star service will begin 4:30 p.m. with the celebration of life to follow with Pastor Doug Burns officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Brooklyn Christian Church or Morgan County Humane Society.
Online condolences can be made at https://www.costinfuneralchapel.com.
