Obituaries

Joseph John “Joe” Wollan, age 69, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on December 17, 2025, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan. He was born on March 10, 1956, in Ashland, Wisconsin, to Orval and Cecilia (Kohl) Wollan.

Joe grew up in Sault Ste. Marie where he graduated from Soo High School in 1975. He started his career working on oil rigs in Gaylord, Michigan. Later, he went on to work on the Great Lakes ships as a deckhand, second cook, and baker where Joe found his love of baking which led him to work as a Pastry Chef at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. In 1984, he began working with the State of Michigan as a Corrections Officer, where he remained until his retirement.

Joe was a member of St. Joseph’s and was very active in St. Mary’s Catholic Church while his children attended school there. He generously volunteered his time for spaghetti dinners and other school activities, always willing to help where needed.

Joe enjoyed fishing and hunting, country music, mechanics, baking, and cooking. In his younger years, he loved motorcycling. One of his greatest joys was watching basketball, especially cheering on his daughters, Helena and Katherine. He also enjoyed downhill skiing and spending time on the water with his family, taking them boating, tubing, and jet skiing, creating many lasting memories together.

Joe is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Helena Cecilia Wollan of Nashville, Tennessee and Katherine Barbara Wollan of Sault Ste. Marie; siblings, Orval (Sharon) Wollan of Sault Ste. Marie, Charlene Nunnelee of Bakerfield, California, Linda (Larry) Watson of Mannford, Oklahoma, Tom Wollan of Sault Ste. Marie, and Cindy Bright of Sault Ste. Marie; nephews & nieces, Orval (Lizzie) Wollan, Ernie Bright, Karen (Bob) Johnston, Dana Scott, LaDonna Watson, Heidi Dragiewicz, Noah Dragiewicz, Nathan Dragiewicz, Matthew Dragiewicz, Michelle (Julien) Charriere, and Amanda Acerbi; great-nephews, Tyler, Ryan, Nicholas, Triton, Mason; brother-in-law, Greg (Betty) Dragiewicz; sisters-in-law, Marcia (Vern) Dumback, Becky Dragiewicz; and special friend, Lou Weinrick

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Cecilia; brothers, Larry Wollan and John Wollan; niece, Debbie Wollan; brothers-in-law, Thomas Dragiewicz, Bill Nunnelee, and Paul Weese.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Monday, of December 29, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Family Life Funeral Homes, 4951 S. M-129, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 PM.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Thilak Chander & family, Dr. Glock, at MyMichigan Medical; and Nurse Dawn at Munson Medical, for your utmost compassion and care in Joe’s final days.

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