MELVIN G. KIVELA's Obituary
MELVIN G. KIVELA, 75, of L'Anse, MI. passed away Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Bayside Village, L'Anse, MI. where he was a resident patient. He was born in Negaunee, MI. on April 23, 1933 the son of the late Uno and Tyne (Suo) Kivela. Melvin graduated from Negaunee High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army in Alaska during the Korean War and operated a bulldozer helping to build roads. Melvin later attended Northern Michigan University on the G.I. Bill. He moved to Vermontville, MI. in 1960 teaching at Vermontville High School and later Maple Valley Schools for a total of 26 years. If you had Mr. Kivela for Michigan History then you knew that "Negaunee" was the capitol of Michigan. He taught Michigan History, Industrial Arts and Building Trades. Melvin was instrumental in starting the "Building Trades" program at Maple Valley Schools. He married the former Patricia J Dickey (Foote) on June 2, 1962 in Charlotte, MI. They made their home in Vermontville for 29 years, moving to Mel's beloved Upper Peninsula in 1989.
Mr. Kivela is survived by his loving wife of almost 47 years, Patricia, son, Kenneth (Anne) Foote of Vermontville, MI. daughters, Charlotte (Jerry) Garlinger of Nashville, MI. and Deborah (Jack) Vineyard of N. Manchester, Ind., grandchildren, Julia (Mihaly) Drabik, Brian (Sabrina) Garlinger, Joshua Vineyard and fiancée Theresa Christman, and Ben (Carrie) Vineyard, great grandchildren, Jaden and Lauren Drabik, Grady, Landen, and Kaitlyn Garlinger, sister, Gail Gilliland, step grandchildren, Terralynn (Tim) Lake, and Greg (Tia) Trine, step great grandchildren, Paige and Corey Goordemeer, and Trinity Trine. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marge Thompson, and brother-in-law, Richard Gilliland.
A memorial service will be held in Vermontville, MI. at a later date. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery, Vermontville, MI. The family suggests memorials in Mr. Kivela's honor be directed to the American Cancer Society, the L'Anse Golf Club or the Maple Valley Scholarship Fund. Memorials may be directed in care of the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, P.O. Box 81, L'Anse MI. 49946, who have been entrusted with the arrangements.
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