JOSEPH A. VELMER's Obituary
Joseph A. Velmer Sr., 56 of L'Anse passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 4, 2003 from an apparent heart attack at Baraga County Memorial Hospital, L'Anse. He was born in Spalding, MI. on February 18, 1947, son of the late Lawrence and Irene (Pourpore) Velmer. Joe was raised in L'Anse and attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from L'Anse High School in 1965. He married the former Marcia Ann McKay at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in 1968. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was employed as a welder for various shops in the area. Joe had a passion for music and enjoyed playing the guitar with various groups throughout the area. Mr. Velmer is survived by Marcia, his loving wife of 35 years; 4 children, Lawrence (Cathy) Velmer of L'Anse, Joseph Jr. (Casey) Velmer also of L'Anse, Bonita (David) Neveau of Chassell and Irene (Clarence)Roy of L'Anse: grandchildren, Nikki,Ashley, Kaylee, Libby, Payton, Clarence, Tehya, Clifford, Victoria, and Nykolas; great-grandchild Logan; brothers Melvin Velmer of Pelkie, Bob (Shirley) Velmer of Baraga, Richard (Donna) Velmer of L'Anse; sisters, Carol( Earl) La Fernier of Keweenaw Bay, Patsy (Jim) Velmer of L'Anse, Rosemary (Bill) Heikkinen of Elo, Barbara (Ken) Kleine of South Range and Lynn (Mike) DaCota of L'Anse. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by 2 older brothers Kenneth and James. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2003 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in L'Anse, with Father Greg Heikkala, Celebrant. Spring interment will take place in L'Anse Evergreen Cemetery. The family received friends on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L'Anse and for 1 hour prior to the Mass on Thursday at the church. A parish prayer service was held at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral chapel. The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L'Anse, has been entrusted with arrangements. Mr. Velmer's obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent at www.rfsc.net
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