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Wayne Matthew Bess

CALUMET, MI – Wayne Matthew Bess, 40, longtime Marquette resident and most recently of Calumet, passed away early Saturday morning, May 14th, 2022.

Wayne was born March 5th, 1982, in Marquette, to Carl and Jeannie Bess, and attended Marquette Senior High school, where he enjoyed attending automotive and welding classes. While growing up, Wayne enjoyed working on the family vehicles with his dad, playing practical jokes on his mom, and getting into mischief with his brother. Wayne had a natural talent for carpentry and really enjoyed using his skills to create something new. His pride showed through the pictures he would share of his hard work. Wayne was passionate about the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish with his children, camping and four wheeling with his friends, and recently started rock collecting. Wayne was a loving father, son, brother, and uncle who will be greatly missed.

Surviving are his partner, Nikki Just of Calumet; his children: Joseve (Faith) Bess of KI Sawyer, Ayden Nelson of Ishpeming, Sophia Bess of KI Sawyer, and Emrick Bess of Marquette; his granddaughter, Iris Bess of KI Sawyer; father, Carl (Kaye) Bess of Horse Cave, Kentucky; mother, Jeannie (Arthur) Crouse of Marquette; brother, Glen (Jennifer) Bess of Waynesville, Missouri; nephews and a niece: Brandon, Joshua, and Rhiannon Bess; and many uncles, aunts, and cousins including his closest cousin, Amber Saint Antoine, of Ishpeming.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, on Monday, May 23rd, at the Ishpeming Township Fire Hall. Family and friends are invited to share stories of Wayne from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. A potluck style luncheon will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Wayne’s memory to UPAWS, where he rescued his beloved dogs, Bonnie and Clyde.

Wayne’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.