Eileen Males - St. Onge

Eileen E. Males – St. Onge, 95, of Manistique passed away on January 25, 2026, at Woodland Assisted Living.

She was born April 29, 1930, in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Her parents were Theodore and Mary (Brei) Harbath. She graduated from Clintonville High School in 1947.

She married J. Holger Ostlund in 1949 in Escanaba, Michigan. They had five children: John, James, Michael, Peter, and Kathleen.

On April 16, 1966, she married William J. Males of Manistique. William (Bill) had three children to add to their marriage: William, Bob, and Mia.

Eileen was hired as the Manistique Area Senior Citizens Center Director in August of 1970. In 1973, with the support of the Schoolcraft County Board of Commissioners, she established the Schoolcraft County Commission on Aging, the first county in the Upper Peninsula to do so, in which she became the first Director.

Because of her advocacy and innovative programs for the elderly, and because of the generous support of the Aging Program from the County Board of Commissioners, Eileen was asked to be one of the keynote speakers at the National Conference on Aging, held in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1973. Her speech was published by H.E.W. of the U.S. Government and distributed nationally to various State Commissions on Aging.

Eileen also served as a resource speaker at aging seminars held at Bay de Noc Community College, Northern Michigan University, and Michigan State University.

In 1978, Eileen applied for, and the Senior Citizens Center received, a grant of $124,000 from the Michigan Commission on Aging. Using $70,000 donated locally over a period of years, a lovely new Manistique Area Senior Citizens Center was constructed.

On May 20, 1981, Eileen became the first Director of the Schoolcraft County Housing Commission. Under her leadership, grants were obtained to build two county housing projects: Park View Estates in Germfask and the Heritage House in Manistique.

In 1981, she and her husband Bill moved to Gulliver Lake after remodeling their summer home into a year-round residence. Eileen opened a seasonal antique and country craft shop adjacent to their home called "Gull's Landing," which she operated for 15 years. As an accomplished artist and versatile craftsperson, she made many items sold in her shop. Eileen was involved in various craft shows in Delta and Schoolcraft Counties.

Winter months were spent in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

In 1977, Bill and Eileen purchased a home in Manistique and moved back there when Bill's health deteriorated. He passed away in 1999.

Eileen was a past member and past president of the Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a past member of the Manistique Women's Club, Indian Lake Country Club, and served on the Board of Directors of the Manistique Senior Citizens Center. Eileen was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she served on various committees, including the Board of Deacons.

Throughout the years, Eileen always held the holidays and other celebrations at her home, enjoying her family. In later years, her daughter Kathleen took over that role, and Eileen continued to look forward to spending time with and enjoying her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

On October 23, 1999, Eileen married longtime family friend Oren K. Berto. Oren passed away July 31, 2000.

On February 19, 2005, Eileen married Bernard St. Onge of Escanaba, Michigan, in Sedona, Arizona. They spent the winter months there, with the remainder of the year spent at their home in Escanaba and a cottage at Camp Seven Lake. Bernard passed away November 17, 2011.

Eileen moved back to Manistique in September 2012 to be near her family and friends. She enjoyed playing bridge at the Senior Center, attending Bible study classes at her church, and spending time with family and friends.

She derived much pleasure from visiting her friends at Woodland Meadows Assisted Living, as well as driving her elderly friends who could no longer drive themselves, taking scenic drives throughout Schoolcraft County.

In 2018, Eileen had the honor of having an orchid named for her, which is registered with the Royal Horticultural Society in Great Britain. The orchid was grown by her son, Peter.

Eileen is survived by her children: John Ostlund, Gladstone, MI; James Ostlund, Cooks, MI; Peter Ostlund, Grand Ledge,MI; Kathleen (Don) Schuetter, Manistique, MI; Step-children; William Males, Holland, MI; Bob Males, Manistique, MI; Mia (Kate) Broullire, Manistique, MI; William Berto, Iron Mountain, MI; Roy Berto, Daggett, MI; Barbara Berto, Iron Mountain, MI.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Jennifer (Dennis) Harding; Ashlee (Tony) LaPlante; Joseph (Katie) Ostlund; Chrissy (David) Columb; Greg (Kate) Schuetter; Steve (Michelle) Schuetter; Julie Males; Lisa (Ryan) Melius; William Males; Mandy (Rich) Cole; Christopher (Debbie) Males; Shelby (Jon) Ruhlig; Jon (Samantha) Males; Anders (Ashley) Broullire; and Kenner (Sabrina) Broullire.

She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her infant son, Michael; her sister, Lila Mitchell; her brother, Clair Harbath; her brother, Edward Harbath; her sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Connie; her daughter-in-law, Tina; and her niece, Susan.

Public visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church in Manistique, Michigan, on January 30, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with a church service and luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given directly to the First Baptist Church.