Obituaries and Notices of Death

Margaret Lilya

Margaret Lilya, 68, of Soudan, died at home on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower, with visitation at 10 a.m. at the church.

Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Jerome J. Starkman

Jerome Jack Starkman, 62, of Ely, died on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011, of a massive heart attack after being air-lifted from Ely Bloomenson Hospital to St. Mary’s in Duluth. His sudden, unexpected death was a shock to all. Jack will be sadly missed by family, friends and loyal employees. Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 12 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home. Sign the online guest book at www.kerntzfuneralhome.com.

Jack is survived by his wife, Bonnie K.; sons, Michael (Heidi) and David; granddaughter, Jade; parents, Jack W. and Mary Ann (Sever) Starkman; sisters, Marie (Tim) Salerno and Sharon (Tom) Franklin; nephews, Matt and Sean Salerno, and John Franklin; niece, Morgan (T.J.) Maglio; aunt, MaryAnn (Sheldon) Porthan; many other relatives; and his special cocker spaniel, Karl.

Doris A. Mighell

Doris A. Mighell, 89, of Ely, formerly of Dixon, Ill., died on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at the Ely Nursing Home. Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 12 at Jones Funeral Home in Dixon, with Rev. Dr. Vincent O. Marrandino, Director of Pastoral Care at KSB Hospital, officiating. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon. A memorial has been established. Condolences may be sent online to www.thejonesfh.com.

She was born in Centralia, Ill., on Feb. 13, 1922, the daughter of Thomas and Lillian (Reynolds) Lynch. She married Howard A. Mighell in Salem, Ill., on March 27, 1937. 

She is survived by two sons, Howard (Carole Crafton) Mighell of Dixon and Thomas (Pat) Mighell of Ely; six grandchildren, Wendi (Patrick) Loomis, Lisa (Dan) Janisch, Chris (Lisa) Mighell, Marty (Christine) Mighell, Karen (Dan) Palmer and Kim (Ted) Hvarre; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Howard on June 22, 1997; and two brothers, Jack and Bill Lynch.

Eugene Sam

Eugene Sam, 55, of Duluth, formerly of Tower, died on Thursday, Aug, 4, 2011, from injuries sustained in a vehicle-pedestrian accident in Cloquet. Visitation was on Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Vermilion Reservation Wellness Center in Tower, where traditional tribal services were held on Monday, Aug. 8. The spiritual leader was Billy Blackwell. Military honors were accorded by the Bois Forte Honor Guard. Interment was in the Vermilion Reservation Cemetery. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

He is survived by a brother, Dennis Sam of Cloquet; three sisters, Caroline Prushek of Cloquet, Rosalind (Gerrold) Jenkins of Duluth and Claire (Gerald) Anderson of Kansas City, Mo.; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.