Herbert R. Usitalo, 79, of Sedar Bay Road, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in Hancock after a brief illness.
He was born in Liminga, on Sept. 17, 1928, son of Herbert and Violet (Mayra) Usitalo and graduated from Houghton High School in 1946. Herb first worked at Hancock Hardware before being drafted into the Army. He served during the Korean War in Germany as a Medical Supply Sargent with the 4th Infantry Division.
He was united in marriage to Joyce Anderson on Aug. 24, 1957, at her parents home in Calumet. Herb attended Michigan Tech and worked for General Motors, Cadillac Motor Division in Detroit and GM Parts Division in Swartz Creek retiring in 1987. The couple returned to the Copper Country in 1990.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
He is survived by his sweetheart of 50 years, Joyce Virginia
Four daughters, Chris & John Bessolo of Burton
Elsa & Doug Oja of Hancock
Julianna of Phoenix, AZ
Mary & Jeff Turnquist of Mohawk
14 Grandchildren, Eric (Brenda) Bessolo, Danny Bessolo, Beth (Sam) Matta, Brian (Marla) Oja, Erin, Katey, Marty, Brett, Doyle, Kim, Dana, Patrick and Amy Oja, Maija, Landon, Ethan, Maegan, Karl, Jason and Jaime Turnquist,
1 great grandson, Mitchell Bessolo
1 sister, Lois Usitalo of Houghton
1 brother, Robert Usitalo and one aunt, Ellen Usitalo of Hancock
and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many Christian brothers & sisters.
The funeral service for Mr. Usitalo will be held Saturday at 2 PM at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet with Reverend Peter Torola officiating. Spring burial will be in the Oskar Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-7 Friday at the Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet and one hour prior to the service at church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.peterson funeralservices.com
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