REUBEN J. TURPEINEN's Obituary
REUBEN J. TURPEINEN, age 90, of Baraga, passed away following an illness of several years on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Houghton County Medical Care Facility, Hancock. He was born in Alston on March 17, 1923 the son of the late Henry and Ida (Holappa) Turpeinen. Reuben graduated from Baraga High School in 1941. He served in the US Army in WWII during the European Theater Battle of the Bulge. Reuben married the former Thelma Pesonen in Pelkie on December 21,1946. This would have been their 67th anniversary. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator at Lindberg and Son Construction Company in Ishpeming until his retirement. Reuben was a member of Alston Apostolic Church, the Alston VFW Post #7646 and a former Alston volunteer fireman. He was mechanically inclined, and liked working on small engine repairs. Reuben loved his children and enjoyed spending time with them.
Mr. Turpeinen is survived by his loving wife Thelma, children John (Barbara) Turpeinen of Alston, Donald (Sandra) Turpeinen of Baraga, Barbara (Ken) Herkey of Buffalo, NY, Helen (Donald) Spear of Houghton, Diane (Greg) Besse of Gladstone, and Donna Turpeinen of L’Anse, grandchildren Christopher, Justin, Jolie, John, Heidi, Nathan, Abby, Shawn, Jessica, Jamie, Joe, Renee, Rebecca, Melissa, Gabrielle, Cain, Mitch, and Klaire, several great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Several nieces and nephews and other family members also survive. He was preceded in death by his 5 brothers.
Funeral services for Mr. Turpeinen were held at 3 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2013 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse with Pastor Jesse Aho officiating. Spring interment will take place in the Alston Cemetery. The family greeted friends at the funeral chapel on Saturday from 12 p.m. until the time of the funeral service. Baraga County area veterans, under the direction of the Baraga American Legion Post #444 conducted military honors at the funeral chapel on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Following the funeral service; the family invited friends to join them for fellowship and a luncheon in the Harrington Gathering Room, located at the funeral chapel.
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