Friends We Will Miss

Michael Baker ’78, Brunswick, GA, passed away May 8, 2025. He addition to graduating from LSSC, Michael served in the U.S. Air Force and as both a Sheriff’s deputy and immigration officer. Michael is remembered for his competitive holiday spirit and love for Christmas.

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James Batdorff ’59, Coos Bay, OR, passed away August 16, 2025. He earned a degree in forestry from Sault Tech and MTU then went on to work for the Coos Bay District Bureau of Land Management, where he oversaw the reforestation of 124,000 acres of land. He is remembered for his unwavering faith and his love for his family.

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Dennis Bentz ’58, Detroit, passed away July 1, 2025. After graduating from Sault Tech, he went on to obtain a master’s degree from U of M before taking a job as a computer analyst at Ford Motor Co. He is remembered for his love for his family.

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James “Jim” Depew ’56, Newberry, passed away August 17, 2025. Jim was part of the Hornets basketball team during his time at Sault Tech, and contributed to records that led to the induction of the 1956 team into the LSSU Hall of Fame in 2002. He is remembered for his love for sports and traveling with friends.

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Stella DePlonty, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away July 11, 2025. She dedicated her career to LSSU for an astounding 50 years until her retirement in 2011, and held positions including Registrar and Assistant to the Provost for Academic Records. Stella was awarded Emeritus status upon her retirement.

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Brian DeWick ’69, St. Ignace, passed away May 5, 2025. After attending Sault Tech, Brian went on to work for numerous family members on restoring wooden boats and doing marine mechanics at E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works. He is remembered for his love of the outdoors and sports.

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Roger Dodds ’72, Pickford, passed away July 10, 2025. He earned a bachelor’s degree from LSSC, then went on to work at Soo Motors before beginning his 28 year career with the Michigan DOC. Roger was a skilled craftsman who dedicated himself to the Pickford Area Historical Museum to preserve the heritage of his community.

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Gary Ferns ’72, Sahuarita, AZ, passed away November 29, 2024. He played basketball while attending LSSC, then went on to work as a CPA, CFO, and financial leader for several companies. Gary is remembered for his passion for flying his Cessna 210 and taking trips with family.

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John Goetz ’85, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away August 24, 2025. He graduated from LSSC with a Bachelor of Business Administration, then went on to work as a corrections officer for 27 years. John is remembered for his quiet strength, integrity,  extraordinary work ethic and love of family.

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Ronald Green ’66, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away April 1, 2025. After graduating from Sault Tech, Ronald went on to work for Soo Housing and the Jean and Top Shop. He was also played many years for the Soo Indians hockey team.

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John Guisinger ’71, Harbor Springs, passed away July 20, 2025. He served in the U.S. Army for two years before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from LSSC. John is remembered for his love of skiing, reading, and golf.

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Beverly Harwood, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away May 22, 2025. She worked at LSSU for twenty years as a clerk in the Accounting Department and served as the financial secretary at her church. Beverly is remembered for her love for traveling and unwavering support for her family.

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Jerome Hayes ’54, Littleton, CO, passed away August 20, 2024. After graduating from Sault Tech, he went on to work at Martin Maretta and was highly praised for his work. Jerome is remembered for his enjoyment of puzzles and love for his family.

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Kenneth Hemming, Alpena, passed away May 5, 2025. Kenneth specialized in grants and contracts with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and LSSU, where he worked as the Coordinator of School Programs, until his retirement in 2017. He is remembered for his love of sports.

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David Horka ’63, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away July 19, 2025. In addition to attending Sault Tech, David served in the U.S. Army. He was an avid softball player who was recognized as one of Michigan’s top fastpitch softball hurlers of all time, as well as the Sault Ste. Marie Sportsperson of the Year in 1990.

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Carol Ranson Hurst ’61, Gainesville, FL, passed away May 21, 2025. She began her education at Sault Tech, then completed her education degree at WMU. Carol went on to work as an inspector and building official for the Alachua County Building Department, and was the first female building inspector in the State of Florida.

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Barbara “Barb” Kubont ’70, Escanaba, passed away May 16, 2025. After graduating from LSSC, she went on to work as an Operator at Michigan Bell. On November 10, 1975, she received the distress call from the Edmund Fitzgerald before contact was lost. Soon after when the Arthur M. Anderson called to relay the Fitzgerald’s distress call, Barb remained on the line for hours after her shift ended.

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Carol Macdonald ’49, Victoria, B.C., passed away July 23, 2025. She graduated from Sault Tech and went on to work as a Forest Research Technician in Sault, Ontario, before transferring to the Pacific Forest Research Centre in Victoria, B.C. Carol enjoyed volunteering at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

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Dr. Clayton Mathews ’61, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away June 4, 2025. He began his education at Sault Tech and played hockey for many years as a goalie. Clayton was an avid outdoorsman, and a teacher at Albat Lineman School for 53 years.

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Norman Miller ’54, London, ON, passed away April 21, 2025. He graduated from Sault Tech before going on to work for IBM Canada and the Freemasonry of Canada. Norman is remembered for his love for his family.

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Bryan Mincks, Tecumseh, passed away July 19, 2025. He worked for LSSU for several years as his career took him through Iowa and Michigan. Bryan is remembered as a joyful man who was a friend to all in his community.

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Frederick “Fred” Moran ’74, Battle Creek, passed away May 5, 2025. Before attending and graduating from LSSC, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Vietnam War. He is remembered for his love of golfing with his wife and their friends.

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Joel Nelson ’91, passed away July 28, 2025. He earned a business degree from LSSU while working in northern Michigan, then went on to work for Shell Oil and the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. Joel is remembered for his strong faith and lifelong love for the outdoors.

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Daniel “Dan”Ocharzak ’60, Kentwood, passed away March 19, 2025. He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, then was recruited to Sault Tech to play for the Hornets by then-coach Ronald Cooper. For his outstanding performance on the court, Dan was given the Cliff Everett award for outstanding male athlete of the year twice. In 1995, he was inducted into Lake Superior State University’s Inaugural Hall of Fame Class for basketball and track and field.

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Jerome “Jerry” O’Mara Sr. ’57, passed away July 4, 2025. Jerry was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War before graduating from Sault Tech. He then went to work as a civil engineer for the U.S. Conservation Service and U.S. Forest Service. He is remembered for his love for the outdoors and faith.

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Donald Parker ’54, Beaverton, passed away June 1024. After attending Sault Tech, he went on to build a career in the sciences, spending over 40 years with Dow Chemical. Donald is remembered for for his love for the outdoors and his family.

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Theodore “Ted” Potoczak ’58, Goetzville, passed away July 22, 2025. He began his education at Sault Tech, graduated from NMU, and then went on to work as Biology teacher at DeTour High School for 30 years. Ted was an avid outdoorsman who loved farming, gardening, and hunting.

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Ronald Robinette, Pickford, passed away August 13, 2025. In addition to attending LSSU, Ronald served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in multiple states and countries. He was a proud member of the VFW and American Legion Post #3 and loved being outdoors.

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Edward Stain ’72, Pickford, passed away July 16, 2025. He attended LSSC before joining the U.S. Army, then went back to LSSC to finish his Bachelor of Business Administration. Edward is remembered for his deep love of camping, classic cars, and tinkering with motors.

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Cindi Styes ’86, passed away July 1, 2025. She earned a certificate from LSSC while working hard as a single mother. Cindi is remembered for her strength and love for her family.

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Marti Swart, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away April 29, 2025. Marti was a generous donor to LSSU alongside her husband, Judson ‘Bucky’ Swart. She funded the Judson P. ‘Bucky’ Swart Lions Club Memorial Scholarship in memory of her husband. Marti is remembered for her support of students and love of her family.

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Joni Talentino ’09, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away June 28, 2025. In addition to graduating from LSSU, she was a passionate leader and advocate while working as a Housing Director in the area. Joni was a proud member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

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Ivan Taylor ’80, Newberry, passed away July 29, 2025. In addition to graduating from LSSC, Ivan served in the U.S. Army for three years and the Army Reserves for three more. Ivan was also a member of the Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians and was an avid outdoorsman.

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Ronald Utecht ’50, passed away April 17, 2025. After graduating from Sault Tech, he served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He went on to further his education and begin a career in academia until he retired as Professor Emeritus at Texas Lutheran University.

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Richard “Dick” Wandler ’52, passed away January 1, 2024. He graduated from Sault Tech and MTU with a degree in chemical engineering. Dick is remembered for his love of the Iowa Hawkeyes and reading.

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Margaret Patricia “Pat” White ’70, passed away February 8, 2025. She graduated from LSSC with a Bachelor of Arts in History and high honors before working as an Office Manager in Gord’s dental practice. Pat is remembered for her love of sports and traveling.

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Barbara “Barb” Wirt ’69, Sault Ste. Marie, passed away June 15, 2025. In addition to attending Sault Tech, Barb spent twelve years with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) working with disadvantaged people in Appalachia. She is remembered for her legacy of love, strength, and kindness.

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Royanne Wonnacott passed away June 10, 2025. She worked at LSSU for many years as the secretary for the School of Business before retiring and moving to Arizona. Royanne was an avid reader and enjoyed making her coveted hand-painted name pins.

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