Obituaries

Debra Kathleen LaPlante, age 59, of Kincheloe, Michigan, died on December 18, 2023, at
MyMichigan health center-Sault surrounded by loving family. She was born on August 23, 1964,
in Laurium, Michigan, to Frank and Betty (Dunstan) Lark.
Debra grew up in Kearsarge and graduated from Calumet High School, she attended Gogebic
Community College, graduating with an associate degree in accounting. Debra met the love of
her life, Anthony “Tony” LaPlante, while working on Isle Royale, the most beautiful spot in the
world. They married in 1985 and moved to New Hampshire where they started their family
before moving to Baraga, Michigan for twenty years as she continued working in the accounting
industry. Tony and Debra moved to Kincheloe in 2005, where she worked various retail
positions until 2023.
Debra liked fishing, drinking beer, gambling and enjoyed having fun! She loved being with her
family playing dice at the camp, putting puzzles together, playing cards and especially cribbage.
Debra is survived by her husband, Anthony “Tony” Joseph LaPlante Jr. of Kincheloe, Michigan;
daughter, Jessica (Michael) McKerchie of Kincheloe, Michigan; son, Anthony “TJ” (Mindy)
LaPlante of Kincheloe, Michigan; grandchildren, Ethan Black, Ella Black, Kenzey McKerchie,
Katie LaPlante, Brianna LaPlante; fur-daughter, Nitro “Little Girl”; special niece, Nikki Ross;
numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts; brother, Gary (Maria) Lark of
Kearsarge, Michigan; father-in-law, Anthony Laplante Sr. of Baraga, Michigan; sisters-in-law,
Patty (Paul) Paavola of Elo, Michigan, Clara (Don) Chosa of Baraga, Michigan; brother-in-law,
Tom (Tracy) Laplante of Baraga, Michigan; and friends turned family, Glenn and Julie Aube,
Mike and Lonnie Ferraro, Rich and Leigh Ann Bumstead.
Debra is preceded in death by parents, Frank and Betty Lark; brother, Charles “Chuckie” Lark;
brothers-in-law, Kurt LaPlante, Conrad LaPlante; mother-in-law, Ilene LaPlante.
There will be a burial and celebration of life in the spring of 2024, details to be announced.
Debra’s final resting place will be at the Baraga cemetery in Baraga, Michigan.
Family Life Funeral Homes is serving the family. Condolences may be left to the family
at www.csmulder.com