MARTIN E. KETOLA's Obituary
MARTIN E. KETOLA, age 85, of L’Anse went to be with our Lord on Friday, July 4, 2014. Martin was born on February 24, 1929, the son of Eli and Alma (Helke) Ketola. He was raised in Pequaming. Martin often called it “the coldest place on earth.” He attended the local school until the family relocated to Aura where brother Martin and Reino were instrumental in building the Ketola homestead on Townline Road. On March 17, 1951 Martin married the love of his life, Mildred “Sis” Lundy and were blessed with 63 wonderful years. Martin was proud to be a veteran of the Korean War. He had served in the US Army as a medical corpsman. Upon returning home, he worked at Kotaila Station in L’Anse, he then became a woodsman working as a jobber for the Celotex Corp., Mead Corp., Sikorsky Logging and Ketola Logging. Martin had also been a part time bus driver in Mission Texas where he and Millie enjoyed being snowbirds for many winters. Green Hill Manor, L’Anse became home until recently as Martin became a resident of Bayside Village, L’Anse. Martin was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, L’Anse, the L’Anse VFW Post #3897, and the L’Anse American Legion Post #144.
Martin is survived by his loving wife Mildred, sons Martin Jr. (Judy) of Lewisville, TX, Pat (Colleen) of L’Anse, Mike (Christine) of Flint, MI, Peter (Rochelle) of L’Anse, Paul of Chassell, and daughter Mary (Tom) LeRue of L’Anse, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, brother Reino (Marie) Ketola , sisters-in-law Elsie Lundy and Ruth Ann LeClaire all of L’Anse. Many wonderful nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter-in-law Tina.
Funeral services for Martin were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse with Pastor McGrath officiating. The family greeted friends at the funeral chapel on Wednesday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. A graveside military service, under the direction of the Baraga American Legion Post #444 was held at the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery following the funeral service.
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