John N. Korpi
Palmer
John N. Korpi, 86, of Isabella Ave., Palmer, died at home Monday afternoon, November 17, 2014 surrounded by his loving family and under the care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
John was born April 28, 1928 in Eben Junction to Nestor and Martha (Santahoma) Korpi and was raised in West Ishpeming where he attended school. In 1946, at age 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy, served from March until May, and was honorably discharged May 12th because WWII had ended. John was also a United States Army veteran, having served for 2 years, including a year in France with the Red Ball Express before being honorably discharged April 12th, 1956.
On June 18, 1949, John married Sarah Marie (Hyttinen) and he moved to Palmer where they permanently resided. He was employed by Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company, retiring as a crane operator from the Empire Mine in 1988 with 42 years of service.
Mr. Korpi was a member of Community Lutheran Church, Palmer. He also belonged to the Riverside Club in West Ishpeming and the Richmond Township Community Club. He was an avid horseshoe pitcher and cribbage player for the Cascade Bar. John also enjoyed playing chess, woodworking, and many outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing and hiking.
Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Sarah Marie Korpi; his son, Richard (Tanya) Korpi of Negaunee Township; his daughter, Teresa (Jeff) Mauldin of Suomi Location; 4 grandchildren: Jessica and Brittany (Joel Revord) Mauldin, and Jacob and Alexa Korpi; 3 brothers: Irvin, Ronald (Naoma) and Dennis (Cecelia ‘Cece’) Korpi, all of Ishpeming; 3 sisters: Edith Sandberg of Ishpeming, Donna (Marvin) Korb of Fon du Lac, WI and Jeanette Dunstan of Ishpeming; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ethel (Russel) Aho.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, November 20th at the Koskey Funeral Home with Rev. Douglas Norquist, pastor of Community Lutheran Church, officiating. Visitation will take place for one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Thursday, and a luncheon will be held at the Richmond Township Community Club immediately following the services. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in John’s memory to U.P. Home Health, Hospice and Private Duty, 1414 W. Fair Ave., Marquette, MI 49855.
Mr. Korpi’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.

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