Obituaries: July 28, 2023

William M. Wyman
William M. “Morrie” Wyman, 83, of Orr, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A celebration of life will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Orr Community Building (the former American Legion). Interment will be in the family plot at the Leiding Cemetery in Orr at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider making a donation to the American Legion or the VFW in Morrie’s name.
Morrie graduated from Orr High School in 1958. He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, much of it in the Pacific, receiving his discharge in 1962 after “four years and 33 days.” He liked to say he made Corporal “twice.” Morrie married Claudia Szybnski in 1964, and they welcomed son Christopher in 1965, followed by son Michael in 1968. He worked for several years at Northwestern Bell, US West, and other iterations of the phone company in St. Paul and in Duluth before retiring and moving to Orr. He loved to fish and hunt, play bingo at the Cook VFW, and could be found tinkering in his garage every day. He was well known and sought out for his woodworking skills, especially his custom diamond willow walking sticks and canes.
Morrie is survived by his wife, Claudia of Orr; son, Christopher (Tracy) and grandchildren, Briana and Nicole, all of Tampa, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilfred; mother, Ida; sister, Wanda; and son, Michael.

William O. Fearn
William Orion Lloyd “Willie” Fearn, 27, was born into God’s Kingdom of Power on Jan. 26, 1996, to Linda and Toni Fearn in Stockton, Calif. He was born into God’s Kingdom of Grace through Holy Baptism on Aug. 14, 1997, by Pastor Daniel Clemons at First Lutheran Church in Ely. His sponsors were Bill Rosett and Betty Rosett. He entered into God’s Kingdom of Glory on Monday, July 17, 2023, as the result of a car accident. Visitation and funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 25 at First Lutheran Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
William moved with his family to Ely in 1997 and graduated in 2015. He was a manager at Samz. He was an EMR Firefighter and First Responder for Morse-Fall Lake Township. He was a very compassionate, fun-loving, giving person, and a great pool player. He was proud of his heritage as the fourth Norseman. Willie loved hunting, singing, fishing, skydiving with his mom, and his many adventures and travels - London, Mexico, cruises and the Dells. He was also an avid gamer and loved playing cards.
William is survived by his mother, Linda Fearn of Ely; father, Toni Fearn of St. James; brothers, Damian (April Levar) Fearn of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jeromie (Kaitlyn Shober) Fearn of Winton and Max Fearn of Ely; nephews, Grayson and Jaxson Fearn of Winton; grandmother, Peggy Rosett; aunts, Betty Rosett, Lori (Ron) Dubbin, Terri Strokos and her three children in California, and Candi (Curt) Gerrard and their two children, also in California; uncles, Bill Rosett of Ely, and Dan (Jen) Gibson and their son, Duncan, in Nevada. He is also survived by many, many friends both near and far.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Rosett; uncle, Glen Rosett; aunt, Kathi Borst; grandparents, Betty (Merrill) Gibson and Art Gibson of California.

Lucille Brandt
Lucille Brandt is now with God and her husband Chuck forever.
She was born in Biwabik, moved to California, and then back home to Soudan. Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. There will be coffee afterward at Soudan Baptist Church.

Shawn E. Hannine
Shawn E. Hannine, 38, of Cook, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
He is survived by his mother, Eva; son, Mason; brother, Christopher (Jacqueline); nephew, Matthew; and other family and friends.

Rita M. Cheney-Hunton
Rita Marie Cheney-Hunton, 94, of Angora, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, July 24, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

James A. Planton
James Anthony “Jim” Planton, age 76 of Soudan died Saturday, July 22, 2023, in his home surrounded by his family. The Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower. Reverend Father Beau Braun will be the celebrant. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church.
Jim is survived by his wife: Becky, cousins, extended family, friends, and his canine companion Luna.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Jane Planton.
Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower The full obituary will be printed in the Aug. 4 paper.

Angela M. McClelland
Angela Marie Zumbrunnen McClelland, 49, of Fort Ripley, originally of Embarrass, tragically passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023. A celebration of life was held on July 22 at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Interment will take place at a later date in Gilbert.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Babinski Foundation. (And if you are going to rescue a pup, those dachshunds are pretty darn cute!)
She will be deeply missed by her husband, Tony; children, Desirae (Michael) Higgins, Andrea McClelland (Neal), Alyssa McClelland (Hunter DeRosier), Amber McClelland, Ashley McClelland and Alexis McClelland; sisters, Sherri (Andrew) Van Santen, Cierra Jade (Scott) Brelie and Michelle Zumbrunnen; brother-in-law and lifelong friend, Troy McClelland; parents, Dean Zumbrunnen and Margo (Mark) Sampsell; father-in-law and long-standing supporter, Kelly (Mary) McClelland; fur babies, Dixie and Snickers; and innumerable others.