Ella Ruth Brown
August 9, 1948 – July 20, 2023
Longtime Paradise resident, Ella Ruth Brown, 74, died Thursday morning, July 20, 2023 at U.P. Health Systems-Marquette.
Born August 9, 1948 in Sault Ste. Marie, daughter of Laverne and Phoebe (Monosso) Bidelman, Ella was a 1966 graduate of Gwinn High School. On September 16, 1967, Ella married her high school sweetheart, Thomas “Buddy” Brown Jr., at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Paradise.
Ella was a devoted homemaker raising her family. She was also a longtime, active member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. She was an animal lover of three West Highlands White Terriers and enjoyed feeding the birds, puzzles, reading, NASCAR and TV crime shows.
Ella is preceded in death by her father Laverne, husband Buddy on November 8, 2017 and daughter Debbie Parish.
Survivors include her children Catherine Brown and Thomas Brown, both of Paradise; granddaughter Megan Parish of Nashville, Tennessee; mother Phoebe Bidelman of Sault Ste. Marie; sisters Lynn Couturier and Patricia (Richard) Boege all of Sault Ste. Marie; sister-in-law’s Joan (Garth) MacMaster of Sault Ste. Marie, Marilyn (Harry) Chisholm of Crystal River, Florida and Jade (Mike) Silverman of Paradise; several nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends took place Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Paradise. A Mass of Christian Burial followed at 2:00 pm at the church with Fr. Jacek Wtyklo officiating along with Fr. Dan Zagola and Fr. Jack Fabian as con celebrants. Rite of Committal took place at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in care of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, 212 West Harrie Street, Newberry, Michigan 49868 in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Gerald Harry Mattson
March 11, 1928 – July 29, 2023
Gerald Harry Mattson of Saline, MI passed away on July 29, 2023, at the age of 95. Jerry was born on March 11, 1928 in Newberry, MI, son of Harry and Esther Mattson. Jerry attended Newberry High School, Lake Superior State University, and Michigan Technological University where he earned a degree in chemistry. Jerry was employed by Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan for 30 years. Jerry and his beloved wife, Valma Pesola Mattson, celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on July 24.
Jerry was a “Yooper” through and through, moving back to his beloved Newberry after his retirement. Jerry and Val enjoyed many hours of cross country skiing, hiking, and enjoying the beauty of the UP. They were frequent travelers to Arizona to visit their daughter, Ann, and to Virginia to visit their son, Jim, and grandchildren Kelli and Greg. After returning to Newberry, Jerry enjoyed coaching boys and girls youth basketball, fishing with his grandchildren, and woodworking.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Valma; son Jim (Sally), daughter Ann (Tobey); grandchildren Kelli (Steve) Lauziere and Greg Mattson; great grandsons Alex Lauziere and Ben Lauziere; brother James “Lefty” (Lavina) Mattson. He is preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Mattson, and sister-in-law Elaine Mattson.
A private family service is planned.
The family gives heart-felt thanks to StoryPoint Saline Senior Living for their excellent, loving care of Jerry for the past five years, and to CorsoCare Hospice for their care over the past two months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Newberry Youth Basketball Association, P.O. Box 78, Newberry, MI 49868.
Barbara J. Grennan
June 14, 1930 – July 18, 2023
Barbara J. Grennan was born in Muskegon, MI. on June 14, 1930 to Jennings and Dorothy (Brayton) Palmer. The family moved to Washington DC and Detroit where Barbara graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1948. After high school she received a national merit scholarship and was enrolled at the University of Michigan, but had to leave due to serious illness. She moved back to Muskegon, worked at the power company, and eventually met and married the love of her life, Dr. Lawrence E. Grennan. The early years of marriage were marked by the birth of their five children and family moves to Miami Florida, Dallas Texas, Newberry Michigan and Grand Rapids Michigan to complete Lawrence’s residency in surgery and specialization in plastic surgery. The family finally settled for good back in Muskegon in 1968.
The family had a deep connection and love for Newberry. Dr. Lawrence Grennan started his first practice there and was welcomed and loved by the community. The family lived in Newberry from 1955 to 1959, and again from 1961 to 1968. Even when Dr. Grennan left Newberry, he would do surgeries in Newberry in the summer while staying at the family cabin on Hulbert Lake.
In addition to being a loving mother raising her five children while supporting her husband’s medical career, Barbara led a life of service and was greatly involved many organizations including the Michigan Medical Auxiliary (serving as president), the Greater Muskegon Service League, serving on the board of the Muskegon Big Red Education Fund, the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), serving in a leadership position at Samuel Lutheran Church, and countless others. She was also the Muskegon Chronicle’s Mother of the Year in 1988.
She was an avid sports fan enthusiastically supporting her favorite teams, the Michigan Wolverines and the Big Reds of Muskegon High School.
After her husband retired, Barbara and Lawrence enjoyed spending summers at their cabin on Hulbert Lake; a practice that Barbara continued after Lawrence passed away in 2004, culminating in her eventual hospice and passing on July 18, 2023 at the lake, her favorite place.
Barbara is survived by her five children: Eileen (Alan) Young, Marcy (Mark) Anzelon, Sheila Cooper, Lawrence (Tina) Grennan, and Daniel Grennan. There are 13 grandchildren: Corey (Veronika) Anzelon, Daniel (Shannon) Anzelon, Todd Anzelon, Melissande (Greg) Deardurff, O’Neill Young, Spencer (Rebekah) Young, Megan (David) Cooper, Ian Cooper; Lawrence and Dillan Grennan; Mason, McKenna, and Barbara Grennan. There are 12 great-grandchildren: Arianna Anzelon, Kara Anzelon; Rowan, Warrick, Seraphine, Lyriel, Marjorie, and Esme Deardurff; Beatrice, Iris, Isaac and Boaz Young. She is also survived by her daughter of the heart Amy (Bill) McNamara and their children, her sister of the heart Katherine Mills, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends not listed here.
The memorial was on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon in the chapel at Clock Funeral Home, Muskegon, Michigan; with reception following at the family home. The visitation was Friday, July 28, 2023 from 6pm to 8pm at Clock Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest that a tree be planted in her memory or a donation made to the Muskegon Big Red Educational Fund; or do something kind for someone that’s not expected, just as Barbara did throughout her life.
Barbara is now reunited with Lawrence, somewhere in time.
Ellen J. Ketola
August 26, 1945 – July 27, 2023
Ellen J. Ketola went to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 27, 2023, surrounded by her family.
She was born to Vernon and Cassie (Smith) Lloyd on August 26, 1945 in Manistique, Michigan.
She married John W. Ketola on June 15, 1963 in Germfask, Michigan. Ellen and John were blessed to have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June of this year. Ellen will be deeply missed along with her legendary long embracing hugs.
She is survived by her husband, John and her six daughters, Leisa (Wally Pike) Hayes of Clinton, Jonna Wheaton of Tipton, Dawn (Ralph) Bird of Adrian, Kendra (Chad) Fox of Tecumseh, Laura (Terry) Merritt of Tecumseh, and Patti Ketola of Wixom. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bryan (Susan) Shadley, Cari Jo Merritt, Kyle (Sarah) Hayes, Michael (Jessica) Young, Tate (Britni) Ketola, Kyla (Joshua) Russell, Alanna (Jordan) Frayer, Brooke (James) Morgan, Cari (Jack) Pitchford, Devin (Montserrat) Waynick, Dylan Fox, (twins) Teri (Joe Merkel) Rankin and Tera (Zachary) Risch, Tayler (Nicholas) Schirmer, Derek (Amber) Shadley, Erin Shadley, Leighton (Samantha Smith) Merritt, Anna (Luke) Vandenberg, Dawson Fox, Paige (Ryan Amos) Goody, Honora Bird, and Kaitlyn Goody. In addition, she is survived by 34 great grandchildren as well as Jeff and Gerrylynne Rentz and sons Chad and Brendan, her siblings Barbara (Jay) Livermore, Vernon (Carolyn) Lloyd, Jr. Darwin Lloyd, Elmer Lloyd, Joy Bottorff, and many nieces and nephews, and in-laws and their families on her husband’s side. She leaves many dear friends behind. Preceding her in death was her parents and three brothers, George Lloyd, Donald Lloyd and Ronald Lloyd (in infancy), sisters, Raelene Nowak, Theora Bowler, Ethel Hewett, Judith Collins, sons-in-law, Jeffrey Lee Hayes and Robin Wheaton, and nieces and nephews.
Ellen loved her Lord and was happy to serve Him in many ways in her church and her life. She was devoted to her family whom she cherished.
A Celebration of Ellen’s Life will be on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11 am at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tecumseh with Pastor William Finn officiating. A service and burial will take place at a later date in Germfask, MI. Contributions can be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the care of the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.
