Obituaries

Matthew “Matt” Paul LaJoice, age 64, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died at the Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan, on August 16, 2023. He was born in St. Ignace on January 19, 1959, to Robert Jerome and Barbara Mae (Mortensen) LaJoice.

Matt lived in St. Ignace throughout grade school and graduated from the Sault Area High School in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in 1977. After graduating high school, he took a road trip with his friends to California and stayed there just over a year. He then returned to St. Ignace and began working at Star Line Ferry and the Driftwood Restaurant until 1989. During that time, he met the love of his life Loni Lisa LaVake, they were married April 13,1985 at the Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church and were married 38 wonderful years. He attended Northwestern MI College in Traverse City for an Electrical Technology Program. Matt and his dad then started LaJoice Electric which stayed in operation until 2016. Matt then went to work for Arrow Electric of Harbor Springs

Matt volunteered as a Cub Scout leader and a Boy Scout leader. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church.

Matt was a kind, generous, soft-spoken man. He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. His greatest love was his family and grandkids. He loved listening to music and going to live concerts and he was a phenomenal cook, making savory and delectable food. He loved the outdoors, and he could always be found hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time at his hunting cabin he built, or completing side jobs for friends.

Matt is survived by his wife, Loni of St. Ignace; son, Joshua Matthew LaJoice of St. Ignace; daughter, Kelly Lyn Perrault of St. Ignace; grandchildren, Gracia St. Andrew, Rayden Perrault, and Joyanna Perrault; brothers, Steven (Sue) LaJoice of East Jordan, Michigan, and Timothy LaJoice of St. Ignace; sister, Mary Lynn Swiderski of St. Ignace; brother-in-law, Darren (Angel) LaVake; sisters-in-law, Shirley LaJoice of Jacksonville, Florida, and Gale LaJoice of Pembine, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Rita LaVake; his best friend, Duane Huyck; and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Matt was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Barbara; father-in-law, David LaVake; grandson, Louis Matthew St. Andrew; brothers, Mark LaJoice and Jerome LaJoice; and sister-in-law, Kerin LaJoice.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church in St. Ignace. The Funeral Service will follow at 1:00 PM.