Ethel R. McCarthy (Grandma Mc), 99, Peshtigo, formerly of Oconto Falls, died Sunday evening, Jan. 19, 2014, at Rennes Health Center-West. She was born June 9, 1914, in Oconto Falls to Charles and Rachel (Temple) Gallagher. Ethel grew up in the Oconto Falls area, where she attended school, graduating from Oconto Falls High School with the Class of 1932.

Charles B. Maclean, PhD., 68, of Portland, Ore., formerly of Oconto Falls, died Nov. 22 after battling cancer since early July. Charles was an Eagle Scout, philanthropy professional and author. He was a co-founder of Trillium Hollow Cohousing Community in Portland. He is survived by his brother, Thomas Maclean, of Pardeeville.

Brigitte Jones, 51, died Thursday evening, Jan. 16, 2014, at her home in Oconto Falls, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born April 6, 1962, in Chilton to the late Rudolph and Barbara Fiedler. Brigitte loved spending time with her family, and she loved the outdoors. She is survived by her children, Tia DeBauch (Jason), of Oconto Falls, Janine Cary (Matt), of St.

James A. Quandt, 81, of the town of Breed, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at his home under the care of Southern Care Hospice. He was born in the town of Breed on Oct. 15, 1932, to Chris and Anna (Zieries) Quandt. James served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1954. On June 5, 1954, he married Evelyn School at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Suring. James worked at Allen Bradley in Milwaukee until the time he moved back to Suring.

Carol Cox, 76, lifelong resident of Abrams, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, following a longtime battle with COPD.

Becky J. Baranczyk, 55, Abrams, died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, at her home. She was born Nov. 14, 1958, in Oconto to the late Glenn and Marilyn (Retzlaff) Snyder. She was a graduate of Oconto High School in the Class of 1977. Becky married Jim Baranczyk at First American Lutheran Church, Oconto, on Aug. 23, 1980.

If there were ever a competition for the world’s worst shopper, I’d probably win. Or if not the worst, at least the least enthusiastic. When Marilyn wants to go shopping, I usually take along a book and sit in the car or at the food court and read, content to just carry her purchases to the car when she’s finished. There’s one sort of minor exception, though.

Monday’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a bit subdued on the path around the Falls. Schools were in session. The U.S. Postal Service and a number of other government agencies, including all Wisconsin government offices, were closed, but in general there were no parades or speeches. In some states, the day is a statewide holiday for all schools.

The Oconto Falls High School girls basketball team took its first loss of the season, 52-38 to New London, in a Bay Conference game Friday on the road. Oconto Falls (7-1, 3-1 Bay) could not overcome the lead that New London built with a 16-2 run in the first quarter. Each team had three players hit double figures in scoring. Bailey Wolf led Oconto Falls with 12 points. Elizabeth Manns had 11 points.