Michael B. King, age 54, of Baraga passed away suddenly at his residence on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. He was born in Baraga on May 6, 1956, the son of the late Edward and Esther (Maki) King.
Mike attended school in Baraga. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Baraga and remained a lifetime area resident. Mike enjoyed walking, shooting pool, and playing cribbage.
   Mike is survived by his brothers Ed (Linda) King of Tawas City, MI., George King of Baraga, and Ken (Shirley) King of Baraga, sisters Ruth (Michael) Scott of Baraga, and Edith (Bob) Parks of Dayton, Ohio. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews also survive.
   The family invited friends to join them for a celebration of Mike’s life at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010, at 12768 Krolik Road, Baraga Township. Mike’s obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.rfsc.net  The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the arrangements.

   Hulda V. LaCourt, age 97, of Livonia, MI, passed away Thursday, July 22, 2010, at Angela Hospice in Livonia. Hulda was born in Baraga, MI, on Sept. 3, 1912, daughter of the late Oscar and Ida (Niemi) Aho.   She married Wilfred LaCourt who preceded her in death after 60 years of marriage.
   She is survived by her loving son Ronald (Ethel) LaCourt of Port, FL, cherished grandmother of Michael LaCourt, Yvonne Fisher and Robert LaCourt, great-grandmother of Adam, Sarah, Megan, and Jacob Fisher, John, Katherine, Joseph, Natalie, Kendra, and Erik LaCourt; sisters Ellen and Bertha, and many nieces and nephews.
   She was preceded in death by sisters Nelma, Eileen, Lillian, and Ethel, and brothers William and Edward.
   Funeral services for Mrs. LaCourt were held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 26, 2010 from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse, MI.
   The family received friends for one hour prior to the service. Burial took place in the Baraga Cemetery. Following the service, friends were invited to join the family for a luncheon and fellowship in the Harrington Gathering Room, located at the funeral chapel.
   The family has entrusted the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse with arrangements. Condolences may be offered and the obituary viewed at www.rfsc.net.

   Rodney David Edwards, 78, passed away at his home in Newhall, CA, surrounded by his loving family, following a brief struggle with cancer on July 24, 2010.
   Rod was born on Feb. 29, 1932, to Eloise Edwards and Gilbert Leon Pierre Saulque in Oakland, CA.
   As a child, Rod attended the Army and Navy Academy, a military school in Carlsbad, CA, and the Elsinore Naval Academy in Elsinore, CA. He was a graduate of Los Angeles Trade Tech.
   He started his business career as a boy selling the Los Angeles Examiner and Times newspapers on Sunday morning. He also sold the Colliers magazine and the Saturday Evening Post door to door.
   He grew up in Los Angeles during the depression and WWII where he divided his time between his mother and with his paternal grandmother, Rosine (Ranguis) Saulque, who was from La Coche, Hautes Alpes, France. She spoke very little English, and he acted as her translator.
   Rod talked about attending the movie theaters in the hey day of Hollywood, where the actors would come on stage before the start of their films. He vividly recollected going to see ‘Singing in the Rain’ when Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor came on stage to dance a few steps and talk with the audience. “I sure loved Debbie Reynolds.” This lead to a life long enjoyment of movies.
   Rod married Nancy Louise Jondreau of Michigan on Aug. 10, 1962, in Los Angeles. Rod and Nancy had five children together. Supporting his family was Rod’s primary mission in life. He was successful family man that always tried to put love in his heart.
   He often said, “don’t do anything that lets hate into your heart; only do things that put love in your heart.”
   Rod was very passionate about oil painting. Rod painted light and color and strove to capture the essence of nature as one feels it’s presence. He enjoyed painting in the California Impressionist style of en Plien air. He was a member of the Oil Painters of America,
   He started his own sign shop, Rod Edwards Sign Co., in Granda Hills in 1968 and in 1969 started Associated Signs in Los Angeles. Several years later, he expanded his business to include a silk screen printing company which he called Aero Display Inc. In 1972, Rod moved his family to Placerita Canyon in Newhall in 1972 and brought Aero Display Inc., with him. Several years later in 1976, Rod created Canyon Outdoor Advertising which was later re-named Edwards Outdoor Advertising. In 1988 he started Edwards Outdoor Advertising in Baraga, MI.
   Rod was survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Nancy. His children: Rose Marie Edwards of Baraga, MI, Eddy Michael (Christine) Edwards of L’Anse, MI, Julie Michelle (Fred) Sanchez-Edwards of Canyon Country, CA, Mark Alan Edwards of Baraga, MI. Grandchildren: Ronald Thomas (Katie) Edwards of Baraga, MI, Harrison Tyler Edwards-Kanak of Canyon Country, CA, Tonni Marie Edwards of Baraga, MI, Hainyaihduzazawinyan Edwards, Cheyenne Edwards, and Zhoomingweniapane Edwards of L’Anse, MI. Great-grandchildren: Star Marie Edwards, Ziah Ray Edwards, Ryland Anthony Edwards, James Thomas Edwards, Emma Louise Edwards, Joshuah Marcus Collins Edwards. Many nieces and nephews, his long time friend and painting buddy, Ernie Dollman of Valverde CA, and numerous friends and business acquaintances.
   He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gilbert Avery Saulque, and his son, Rod Anthony Edwards.
   Viewing from 5 to 9 p.m. on July 28, 2010, and memorial on July 29 at 1 p.m. will be preformed at the chapel at Mission Hills Catholic Mortuary with Rev. Msgr. Martni and Daniel Valuzet officiating. Graveside services to be held directly after. www.missionhillsmortuary.com