Obits

Obituary: John J. Zukas, 73, formerly of Custer

February 16, 2026

John J. Zukas, 73, formerly of Custer, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026. John was born September 17, 1952, in Ludington to John and Emily Zukas. He graduated from Mason County Eastern High School in 1971 and worked for many years as a forklift driver, most recently at Indian Summer until retirement. John was preceded in death by his…

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Obituary: Scott Jerome Russell, 86, of Custer

February 13, 2026

Scott Jerome Russell, 86, of Custer, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Scott was born on September 15, 1939, the son of the late Delbert and Jessie (Scott) Russell. He was a 1957 graduate of Northport High School. After graduation he attended Central Michigan University, earning his master’s degree. He started student teaching at Ludington High School under mentor…

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Obituary: James ‘Jim’ Virgil O’Brien, 85, of Ludington and Irons

February 13, 2026

“Life According to Jim” James “Jim” Virgil O’Brien, 85, was born on September 13, 1940, in Ludington, the middle child of three, to Florence (DeWitt) and William O’Brien. On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, Jim peacefully went home to our Lord after a courageous battle with cancer. Jim lived most of his life in…

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Obituary: Debra DeAnn Patten Anderson, 67, of Decator, Ind., formerly of Mason Co.

February 11, 2026

In the early morning of Thursday, December 1, 2025, Debra DeAnn (Patten) Anderson of Decator, Ind., answered the phone call from God telling her, “Your work here on earth is done and it is time to come to work for me helping all those in need.” Born the second twin on Oct. 14, 1958 in Oklahoma City, Okla. to Roy…

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Obituary: Charlotte Marie Betka, 95, of Ludington

February 8, 2026

Charlotte Marie Betka, 95, of Ludington, died Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Grace Valley Assisted Living in Kalamazoo.  She was born March 2, 1930, in Ludington. Charlotte grew up in Ludington and graduated from St. Simon High School.  She then attended Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, followed by Wayne State University where she earned her bachelor of…

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