Obituaries

John “Bill” William Markstrom, age 96, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on January 27,
2026, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie. He was born on April 14, 1929, in
Cedarville, Michigan, to August and Edla Marie (Osterlund) Markstrom.

Bill was born and raised on the family farm on Swede Road in Cedarville and graduated from
Cedarville High School in 1947. He worked for Chrysler in Detroit, Michigan, before being
drafted into the United States Army, where he served in Korea in 1950. On June 11, 1955, Bill
married Joanne Huyck. He later attended Michigan Technological University, pursuing studies in
mechanical engineering. Bill spent his career as a union carpenter and foreman, working on
notable projects including Sault Area High School and the Norris Center. A master woodworker,
he constructed his own home and built furniture for many family members, leaving behind
tangible reminders of his skill and care.

Bill was a lifelong and active member of the Lutheran Church, serving as a Deacon and singing
in the choir. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge #552.

Bill had a lifelong love of sports, including softball and basketball, but his greatest passion was
golf, which he discovered in his forties. He joined several leagues and continued playing well
into his nineties. Bill also loved dancing with his wife and spent twenty-four winters in Florida
with Joanne after his retirement. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, and fishing, often spending entire
days out on the boat.

Bill is survived by his wife of over seventy years of marriage, Joanne; children, Diane (Frank) Handziak, David Markstrom, Robert (Amy) Markstrom, and Steven (Pam) Markstrom; grandchildren, Jason Markstrom, Allyson (Andy) Lancour, Andy (Tiffany) Markstrom, Emily (Joel Johnson) Markstrom, Garrett (Martina) Markstrom, Kaela Markstrom, and Matthew (Arianne) Stephens; great-grandchildren, Tucker Polini-Lancour, Quinn Lancour, Kenna J. Lancour, Madison Stephens, Grant Stephens, Reaghan Stephens, McKinley Stephens, Caroline Markstrom; siblings, Ray Markstrom and Jim (Janet) Markstrom; sister-in-law, Mae Markstrom; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, August and Edla Marie; sisters, Jennie Markstrom and
Betty (Herman) Izzard; brothers, Charlie Markstrom and Louis (Shirley) Markstrom; sister-in-
law, Ruth Markstrom; and great-granddaughter, Briar Markstrom.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00
AM, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 1600 Park St., Sault Ste. Marie. The Memorial Service will
follow at 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s honor may be made to Ball Hospice, 308 W. 12 th Ave., Sault
Ste. Marie, MI 49783 and the Faith Lutheran Church, 1600 Park Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
49783.

Bill’s final resting place will be at Fairview Cemetery, in Pickford, Michigan, with the burial to
be held in the summer of 2026.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.