Obituaries

Eve Killips-Holmden, age 68, of Munising and formerly of Lansing, died Friday, September 1, 2023 at Munising Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family and caring hospital staff. She was born on November 1, 1954 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the second of seven children to Robert and Phyllis (Bray) Killips, Sr. Eve’s family moved from the Soo to Lansing and then back to the UP in Munising.

Kristine Elizabeth Fromm (LaFave), age 76, of Rochester, Michigan and formerly of Munising, Michigan died peacefully at home on Friday October 13th, 2023 following a long illness. Kristine was born to Ernest and Katherine LaFave, on December 21st, 1946 in Munising, where she later graduated from Sacred Heart School and Wm. G. Mather High School. Happily married for 57 years, Kristine was introduced to Howard “Vince” Fromm II at an early age, and they were wed on September 3rd 1966 in Sacred Heart Church, Munising.

James Wallace Duke, age 86, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 10, 2023. He was born on May 18th, 1937 to Josephine and Thomas Duke and raised on a farm with his 2 brothers and a sister. The family made the move from Texas to California during his school years. In high school, James joined the California Cadet Core, and so began his love of the military. As soon as he graduated, he enlisted in the Navy. It was during this time he met the love of his life Constance Marie.After 2 weeks they were wed.

Sean “Corn” Robert Cornish, age 52, of Munising, died peacefully and unexpectedly of natural causes at his home. He was born on April 21, 1971 in Munising to Robert “Corn” and Karen (Cota) Cornish. Corn grew up in Munising and played football for the Munising Mustangs. Sean entered the U.S. Navy and served during the Persian Gulf War. He was stationed in San Diego and Panama. Corn returned to Munising and began serving as a volunteer in the Munising Fire Department. He began employment for the City of Munising first as a fire truck driver and then he moved to the wastewater treatment plant. Corn then moved to the public works department and retired at age fifty. His first year of retirement put 12,000 miles on his truck as he he traveled across the country sightseeing and visiting family. Corn came home and went to work at the Pictured Rocks Golf Course as groundskeeper. He loved golfing. Corn also enjoyed riding his Harley with friends, hunting, and ice fishing. He was a past member of theAmerican Legion.

Richard Carl Hansen, age 88, resident of Big Rapids, Petoskey, and Bay View, Michigan died September 12, 2023. He was born April 22, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan son of Ede and Bertha Hansen.

Janet 'Jan' Smith, age 79, of Munising died at UPHS-Marquette on September 12, 2023, following a lengthy illness. Jan was born in Yale, Michigan to the late Keith and Edith Campbell on January 19, 1944. Jan married Gordon Lee Smith Sr., on July 21, 1963, and together they raised their three children. In 1978 the family moved to Munising when Gordon was assigned to the Michigan State Police Post in town. Jan worked at Hub's Super Value and the Holiday Gas Station while in Munising, and most recently at Dillard's Department Store in Sarasota, Florida. In her free time, Jan was an active member of the Pictured Rocks Golf and Country Club and the Munising Moose Lodge. She is survived by her children - Laura Smith of North Port, FL, Gordon Smith, Jr. of Munising, and Stephen Smith of Munising; grandson - Ryan (Amber) Smith of Venice, FL, and a great-grandchildren Brycen, Camden, and Fae; brother – Larry Campbell, of Flushing, MI. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gordon Smith Sr., and her brothers Gary and Harvey Campbell. In keeping with Jan’s wishes no public services will be held. Her obituary may be viewed, and her online guest book signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net.