PESHAWBESTOWN – Samson Nisswih Raphael, 30, traditional mahnoomin harvester of Peshawbestown walked on August 8, 2026.

Samson was born in Traverse City on June 2, 1996, the youngest and beloved son of Mari (nee Dudley) Raphael and Howard Raphael Jr. He graduated from Suttons Bay High School with the Class of 2014. He also attended MTA STEM School in Traverse City and Northwest Michigan College. He was studying for an Amateur Radio license most recently.

Sammy had a thirst for knowledge, with a natural gift for multiplication and science. He built computers for fun, and helped fix neighbors devices. He would memorize complex systems such the Chicago O’Hare Airport metro with all of its stops, connections and patterns.

Sammy was a peaceful soul and loved helping others, walking dogs for the Great Lakes Humane Society, helping neighbors with tasks, volunteering at local events, picking berries at Alpers Berry Farm, and shoveling snow for his mom’s driveway. He was a lifelong love of swimming and was a natural “water bug”, and would swim in Lake Superior for hours.

Samson was the nicest person one could ever know. He was a peacemaker and a helper to family, neighbors and strangers alike. He had a great smile and would look you in the eye when doing so. He will be greatly missed.

Sammy is survived by his mother, Mari Raphael, his father Howard Raphael Jr., his siblings, Max Raphael, Monni Raphael, and Silas Broome; special cousins like brothers to Sammy, Miles Chisholm and Johnny Biidaasige; his grandmother, Elsie (nee Yannott) Dudley; his aunts and uncles, Ruth Dudley, Jim Dudley, Len (Lori) Dudley, David Dudley, Eilleen Dudley, Sharon Kennedy, Barb Raphael, Rose Raphael, Helen Raphael, Shirley Raphael, Sandy Raphael, Kathy Raphael-Ortega, and many loving cousins and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, James “Red’ Dudley, Elsie (nee Robinson) Raphael and “Gaagaakshin” Howard Raphael Sr, and uncles Timbuk Raphael, and Jimmy Raphael.

Services were held on Friday August 14 at the Northport Indian Mission UMC Campgrounds with a scared fire and feast. Burial was held at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Cemetery. Mr. Gerard Sagassige officiated, with a pipe ceremony by Carl Wesaw, and a traveling hand drum song by Tom Peters. Memorials may be directed to Great Lakes Humane Society, 7246 E. Harry’s Rd., Traverse City, MI 49684 and/or Suttons Bay FIRST Robotics Team 3688 at www. team3688.org Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.