Loretta C. Colantonio

Loretta or as affectionately known to her family as “Babe” was born in Syracuse, Missouri on the family farm to Leo and Agnes (Kramer) Miller, as the third of four children. She was raised on that farm until age 12 when the family moved to Tipton, Missouri on Cooper Street, just across the street from St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. Loretta graduated from Tipton High School in 1950 (she was always proud of being a Tipton Cardinal so much so cardinals were her favorite birds of all time). After graduation, Loretta moved to Kansas City, Missouri with one of her cousins (who were plentiful in Tipton) and took a job as a medical transcriptionist. She met her future husband, John (Tom) Colantonio who had just gotten out of the service. They dated for a year and married on May 30, 1953 in that very same St. Andrew’s Church that she grew up across from. They settled in Tipton for several years before John was accepted to the Michigan State Police Academy. Their first post was in Clinton, Michigan. Transfers included Marquette-Negaunee, Detroit and back to the Marquette-Negaunee Post permanently.

Loretta was very proud to be an MSP spouse and supported John in his career. She was very active in St. Louis the King Catholic Church and its Altar Society serving as its treasurer for many years.

She retired from the former Marquette General Hospital as a unit clerk on the Rehabilitation Unit after 15 years, where she made lifelong friends with both the staff and physicians.

Loretta was a proud mom to Gayla (Paul) St. Onge, Robyn Baker, both of Marquette, Jeff (Jill) Colantonio of Skandia and Jamie (Darryl) Lancour of North Port, FL.

She was a supportive and enthusiastic grandma to Catherine (Scott) Amhaus, Jennifer St. Onge and Andrew St. Onge, Bridget (Mike) Caster, Heather (Steve) Martin, Brian (Katie) Baker, Jacob (Kate) Colantonio, Tanner (Raeanna) Colantonio, Nick (Cassie) Balbierz and Dallas (Ian McFarlane) Lancour.

Loretta had 14 great-grandchildren, Ben and Owen Amhaus, Nathan St. Onge, Beau and Brody Caster, Morgan Johnson and Trent Martin, Ethan and Keegan Baker, Lexie Carlson, Lincoln and Ashlynn Loretta Balbierz, Lilly, Bensen and Nash Colantonio and a soon to be born this summer great-grandson Colantonio.

She is survived by her children and their children; her sister, Martha Moss of Springfield Missouri; her brother, Robert (Judy) Miller of Paola, Kansas; and many nieces & nephews scattered across the United States.

Preceding her in death was her beloved husband, John; her parents, Leo & Agnes Miller; mother and father-in-law, John and Ann Colantonio; brother, Elmer Miller; and brother-in-law, Bill Moss.

Her family wishes to thank Mill Creek Memory Care and their wonderful, compassionate staff who took care of mom this last year and UP Home Health and Hospice who helped mom and the family this last week to keep her comfortable in her journey to her Heavenly Home.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 10-11:30 am at St. Louis the King Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 with Rev. Thomas Merkel officiating. A luncheon will follow the Mass in the church hall. Entombment will be held in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Loretta’s grandchildren, Brian Baker, Andrew St. Onge, Jacob Colantonio, Tanner Colantonio, Dallas Lancour and Brody Caster will serve as pallbearers.

Loretta’s service will be live-streamed by the church. It can be found on YouTube on the St. Louis the King’s page.

Please direct memorials to St. Vincent de Paul, 2119 Presque Isle, Marquette, MI 49855.

“Death takes our body;

God takes our souls;

Our minds hold the memories:

Our hearts keep the love.

Our faith lets us know

we will meet again.”

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family where memories of Loretta may be shared at canalefuneral.com