HERMAN E. HELTUNEN's Obituary
HERMAN E. HELTUNEN, age 91, of L’Anse passed away peacefully Friday, May 14, 2010 at Bayside Village Nursing Home, L’Anse where he was a resident for the past several months. He was born September 23, 1918 in Aura, MI. the son of the late John and Ida “Mumma”(Palosaari) Heltunen. Herman was the 5th child of 11 children. He graduated from L’Anse High School in 1937. After serving in the Army during WWI he worked as a driver for Greyhound Bus Lines for 33 years, retiring in 1975. Herman logged over 2 million accident free miles. He married Borghild Annette Eliassen on May 6, 1961. She preceded him in death on April 15, 1984. Following his retirement with Greyhound, Herman worked for Jacobson Funeral Home and most recently was an assistant for the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel. He was a member of United Lutheran Church, L’Anse. Herman enjoyed hunting, fishing and his dog Tia. Herman was also an avid gardener. Blessed with good health throughout his entire life, “Hempa” split his own firewood until this past fall. Herman will be remembered as a “true gentleman” and for his subtle sense of humor.
Mr. Heltunen is survived by his loving son David and grandson Landen both of L’Anse, brothers Paul (Phyllis) Heltunen of Spring Hill, FL., Ralph (Virginia) Heltunen of Redford, MI. and sisters Sylvia Golka of Adams, MA., Anna Severance of Suttons Bay, MI., and Phyllis (Robert) Rogers of Aiken, SC., sisters-in-law Mildred Heltunen of Kasota, MN., Bertha Eliassen of Ishpeming, MI. Marion Eliassen of Dover, DE., and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his infant sister Adelle, sister Verna, and brothers Edwin, Arnold, and John.
Funeral services for Mr. Heltunen were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse with Pastor Richard Eskola officiating. The family received friends at the funeral chapel on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 from 6 until 8 p.m. and on Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Following the funeral service friends were invited to join the family for a luncheon and fellowship at the Harrington Gathering Room, located at the funeral chapel. Interment and graveside military services under the direction of the Baraga American Legion Post 444 were held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery.
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