Born on January 17, 1935, in Brookville, Pennsylvania, Lynne was the cherished daughter of Andrew and Katherine (Rea) Barr. The second of four children, she grew up with a sharp mind and a determined spirit.

Lynne dedicated much of her life to keeping her community organized, working as a skilled secretary for several notable local institutions including Bear Archery, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the City of Grayling. Her hard work and dependable nature left a lasting impact on all who worked alongside her.

Beyond her professional life, Lynne was the bedrock of her family. She raised three sons, Timothy, Curtis, and (Francis)Todd and as well as her two oldest grandchildren Jennifer and Jamie. She took immense joy in watching her family grow, eventually welcoming seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren into her heart. Lynne was known for her deep, fierce love for her family, which she paired beautifully with a famously sassy personality that kept everyone on their toes and filled her home with laughter.

She was preceded in death by her son, Todd, grandson Tyler Reeves and lifelong companion, Duane Brooks. She is survived and dearly missed by her sons Timothy and Curtis (Deanna) Evans; her daughter-in-law Tammy Reeves (Rod Foltz); her beloved grandchildren (Jennifer Lutz, Jamie Vangel, Cameron Evans, Amanda Reeves, Madelyn Evans, and Tristan Reeves) and great-grandchildren (Gabrielle Lutz, Jillian and Benjamin Burton). Her quick wit, vibrant spirit, and devotion to her loved ones will never be forgotten.

Per Lynne’s wishes, a private family gathering will be held at a later date. The family would also like to give a special thank you to the staff of Northern Pines Assisted Living and Compassus Hospice. 

Condolences can be shared at www.sorensonlockwood.com

Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

The post Lynne Reeves, 91, of Grayling appeared first on Up North Voice.

Thomas was born October 3, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan, the son of Francis and Madeline (Kolling) Slykerman.

Thomas served in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict, reaching the rank of Specialist 4th Class. During his time in service, he received the Purple Heart Award for wounds that he received in battle. Thomas worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years, before he retired in 2001. He then moved to Roscommon and was an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church and Mercy Hospital Aux, where he was a chaplain. Thomas was also a member of K of C 6593 Prince of Peace Council and K of C Immaculate Conception Assembly. Thomas loved kayaking, religious study, baking and playing Euchre.

Thomas will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his sisters, Margaret (John) Eckhold of Charlevoix, Michigan and Gail (Dennis) Manthey of Trenton, Michigan; and brother Francis Bruce (Barb) Slykerman of Grosse Ile, Michigan; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Madeline; and brothers, Lawrence and James Slykerman; as well as nephews, John Eckhold, III and Scott Trotter.

Family and friends will gather on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, for a Funeral Mass, at 11:00 AM with an hour of visitation prior, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 104 North 6th Street, Roscommon, Michigan 48653. A luncheon will follow at St. Michael’s Parish Hall.

Interment will be at 11:00 AM, with military honors, on Friday, July 17th at Michigan Memorial Park Cemetery in New Boston, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Thomas’ name to St. Michael’s Catholic Church or to Heartland Hospice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, Roscommon.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Thomas Harry Slykerman, please visit our Tree Store.

The post Thomas Slykerman, 86, of Roscommon appeared first on Up North Voice.

Leonard had a deep love for all sports but especially Detroit sports teams. He was a member of, Sacred Heart Parish and Knights of Columbus. In his early years his summers were consumed with playing fast pitch softball for numerous teams in the Saginaw area. He enjoyed spending his time outdoors, often hunting, fishing and mowing the lawn!.

He is survived by his wife: Jill; daughter: Kathryn (Andrew Lawerence), in-laws Molly Hobbs, Wendy and Henry Miller, Joe and Darlene Hobbs, Kellie and Jeff Beaton, Matt and Tara Lundstrum-Weaver, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, sister Mary Bishop, his in-laws George and Barb Weaver and brother-in-law Kim Hobbs.

His niece Shelly summed it up nicely when she heard the news of his passing:

“So sorry to hear Len has seen his last Tigers game. He was a good guy; I will miss his smile! It wasn’t easy to get one out of him but worth the effort for sure.”

Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gladwin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

The post Leonard Witkowski, 78, of Gladwin appeared first on Up North Voice.

Roger was born on March 8, 1943 in Yale, Michigan to Howard and Betty (Blur) Dinger. He grew up in the Utica area where he graduated from Utica High School.  On March 1, 1969 in Utica, Roger was married to Sandra  L. Michaels. Roger worked as a Job Setter for GM- Pontiac Division for many years before his retirement. In 1995 the couple moved from Sterling Heights to Prudenville.  Roger attended St. John Lutheran Church and enjoyed wood crafting, coin collecting, fishing, and spending time gardening and landscaping his yard.

Surviving Mr. Dinger are his loving wife of 57 years, Sandra  L. Dinger of Prudenville; son, Shane Michael (Shannon) Dinger of Prudenville; grandchildren, Jordan Gallegos, ShayneRae Stone, Haley Relken, and Collin Relken; sister, Carol (James) Redden of AZ; brother, Kenneth (Ran) Dinger of TX; several nieces and nephews, Chris ( Nicole ) Redden, Robert ( Christina ) Redden, David ( Christine ) Redden, Steve Michaels, John ( Linda ) Michaels, Jeff ( Michele ) Michaels, Amy ( Mike ) Pivitt, and Ashley Michaels. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, and brother in law: Dennis( Charlyn ) Michaels. 

Private family services will be held for Roger Gerald Dinger. Memorial contributions in memory of Roger are asked to be directed to Compassus Hospice. Christler Funeral Home, Prudenville Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roger Gerald Dinger, please visit our floral store.

The post Roger Dinger, 83, of Prudenville appeared first on Up North Voice.

Age 87, of Whittemore, MI passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2026 at the Divine Living Center in Mt. Pleasant, MI. She was born on November 13, 1938 in Detroit, MI to the late Kenneth and Margaret (Morrow) Bryan. Dottie graduated from Tillman High School in Paducah, KY, and went on to build a life centered on faith, hard work and service to others. In 1966, she married William F. MacDonald and together, they shared many years of friendship, family and love before his passing in 1974. Dottie found love again and married Donald W. Markillie on April 4, 1981. She took pride in owning and operating her own hobby/convenience store, where she was able to share her love of crafts with others. Dottie found great joy in working with her hands creating crafts and tending to her flower gardens. Above all, she treasured the time spent with her family and grandchildren. Dottie also had a heart for serving her community. She volunteered at the Tawas St Joseph Hospital and found joy as a volunteer grandparent at Whittemore-Prescott Elementary School. Dottie’s faith was an important part of her life and she was a devoted member of St. James Catholic Church in Whittemore, MI. She was a woman whose kindness and devotion to her family touched the lives of many. Dottie is survived by her 3 sons, Kevin MacDonald, Bryan (Katy) MacDonald and Scott (Jeanna) MacDonald; sisters, Carolyn Hilsinger and Cathy Jones; grandchildren, Tiffany, Duane (Tiara), Jessica (Eric), Bryce (Hannah) and Baelee (Joe); great-grandchildren, Dustin, Christopher, Alyssa and Max and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Dottie was preceded in death by her first husband, William MacDonald; second husband, Donald Markillie; brothers, Bob and Kenny; sisters, Peggy, Marilyn and Barbara and grandchildren, Kailey and Kenny. The family will welcome friends on Monday, July 20, 2026 from 10:00am-12:00pm until the time of Mass beginning at 12:00pm at St. Pius Catholic Church in Hale, MI. Interment will take place in All Saints Cemetery in Whittemore, MI. You may offer your condolences online to the family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy “Dottie”, please visit our floral store.

The post Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Markillie, 87, Whittemore appeared first on Up North Voice.

Justin was born on August 30, 1995, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Jennifer (Taylor) Forest Schuldt, Eric Spencer, and Tony Fore.

Justin loved spending time shopping with his daughter, especially for summer linens and sunglasses. His selfie game was always on point. He also had an extensive knowledge of music and would often break into song without warning, bringing laughter to those around him. When he was relaxing, he enjoyed spending time watching Netflix.

Justin will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Brooklynn; his brothers, Brenden, Michaley (Spencer), and Hunter (Brenna) Spencer; his mother, Jennifer (Taylor) Forest Schuldt; his fathers, Eric Spencer and Tony Fore; his grandparents, Cathy and Jere Spencer and Elizabeth and Ruben Cruz; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Justin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Honora and Cecil Taylor, and his great-grandmother, Janet Dolan.

Family and friends will gather on Sunday, July 12, 2026, for a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior, at Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, 143 Lake Street, Roscommon, Michigan 48653.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, Roscommon.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Justin Matthew Spencer, please visit our Tree Store.

The post Justin Spencer, 30, of Roscommon appeared first on Up North Voice.

REGION: Early childhood educators across Northeast Michigan may now qualify for monthly wage stipends after the Sunrise Side Regional Child Care Coalition raised the program’s income eligibility cap from $17 to $20 per hour. The expansion opens the state-funded Early Education Wage Initiative to more educators working in licensed childcare centers, family and group homes, Head Start, and Great Start Readiness Programs across 11 counties, including Roscommon, Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Iosco. Eligible part-time educators can receive $200 per month, while full-time educators can receive $300 per month through August 2027.

How to apply:

Early childhood educators and program directors in Region 3 are encouraged to visit https://childcarebackoffice.org/wage-initiative to access application materials, verify eligibility guidelines, and review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until all remaining slots are filled.

The post Child Care Wage Program expands appeared first on Up North Voice.

MIO – Terrie Karr was sprucing up the outside of the Mio Saloon last week. She said she was getting the trim painted before the outside of the building was powerwashed.

Photo by Mark Constance / mark@UpNorthVoice.com

The post Fresh coat appeared first on Up North Voice.

HOUGHTON LAKE– The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will begin improvements this summer at the South Unit of Houghton Lake Flats, a popular wildlife viewing and fishing area along U.S. 127 in Roscommon County.

The project will rehabilitate the aging dike system, allowing the DNR to better control water levels in the 350-acre wetland and improve habitat for wildlife. Built in the 1960s to help offset environmental impacts from construction of U.S. 127, the South Unit includes several miles of dikes, a dam and water control structures.

According to DNR wildlife biologist Mark Boersen, the current pump system failed several years ago, limiting the DNR’s ability to manage water levels. In addition, the aging dam can no longer safely and efficiently hold water.

Construction crews will replace the concrete dam, pumphouse, underground pipes and related equipment with updated infrastructure. Work is expected to begin once water levels recede and continue through the fall.

During construction, the South Unit gazebo and fishing platform will be closed to the public. However, the North Unit, located north of County Road 300, will remain open.

Houghton Lake Flats is known for waterfowl hunting, fishing and birdwatching, with species such as trumpeter swans, black terns, osprey and American bittern frequently spotted in the area. Visitors may still access the dikes and hand-launch boats during the project.

The project is part of the DNR’s ongoing efforts to modernize Michigan’s aging dams and dike systems.

The post Houghton Lake Flats upgrades planned appeared first on Up North Voice.

The post Comfy Chair: Hot AND humid! appeared first on Up North Voice.