Obituary for GLENN LOUIS BINONIEMI
Glenn Louis Binoniemi, 85, of Negaunee, passed away early Sunday morning, March 21, 2021 at his home.
Glenn was born March 14, 1936 at the family home in Point Mills, MI to Matt and Victoria (Joyal) Binoniemi and graduated from Dollar Bay High School, Class of 1953. After serving and being honorably discharged from the United States Army at the end of the Korean War, he attended Suomi College and Northern Michigan University. He began working for LS&I Railroad and then as a computer programmer for Lasco. He came out of retirement and worked as a sign maker and installer for SignsNow in Marquette and then came out of retirement a third time and was a delivery man for Pellow Printing, Negaunee up until 2020.
He enjoyed being active in the community, and though he lived in Negaunee Township, he served on the Board of Trustees, and the Zoning and Planning Commission. When he moved to the City of Negaunee, he was asked to run for the City Council, and was proud to be elected and serve as the Mayor. Glenn also served on the Board of Review for many years. He was an active member of the Negaunee Lions Club, volunteered as a driver for the ski jumpers at the annual Suicide Hill Ski Jumping Tournaments, and was an active participant in developing and working on the Negaunee portion of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, and other trails throughout Old Towne. He especially enjoyed working on the Lions Club’s log cabin project in Old Towne. He was always being volunteered by his children and grandchildren to help with their various projects, especially if it meant being outdoors. He rarely turned down an opportunity.
He was a talented wood carver, a hobby he took up seriously in the past decade. He enjoyed the friendships he made with the Negaunee Carving Club, meeting on Wednesday mornings at the Negaunee Ice Arena. He could not tell a story without a pencil and piece of paper to draw you a diagram, map or picture. He loved to write and kept a logbook detailing time spent at the family camp dating back to the 60s. He also enjoyed golfing, long walks with his kids and grandkids, picking berries, riding his four-wheeler, feeding his feathered and four legged friends, building and flying model airplanes, and spending time with his sisters and cousins in the Copper Country. A most recent highlight was the trip to Washington, D.C. as part of the UP Honor Flight’s XVII Mission in September of 2019. He collected friends of all ages everywhere he went. “That’s why I like talking to people, they all have a story to share.” He had a special place in his heart for cats and his latest feline friend “Dottie” will miss their nightly game of fetch and all the attention he showered on her. He also maintained a friendship with both of his former wives: Sandra Pierce, and Maureen Olson, gathering the whole ‘kit and kaboodle’ to celebrate holidays together, which enriched the lives of all involved.
Surviving are his children: Kathy (Craig Williams) Binoniemi of Negaunee, Todd (Annette Syrjala) Binoniemi of Ishpeming, Sherry (Erik) Ulvila of Negaunee, Christy Binoniemi of Minneapolis, MN, Laura (Kenny) Brooks of Marquette, Emily (Andrew) Herbst of St. Louis, MO, and Caitlin (Manuel Garcia) Dube of Quito, Ecuador; grandchildren: Seth (Kendra) Dompierre, Sierra (Mikael) Larson, Jacklyn Lenten, Grace, Lily, Luke and Jacob Ulvila, Ruby Hands, Harlan Herbst and Eric Syrjala; great-grandchildren: Henry Dompierre, Jazalyn, Daks, and Gwen Syrjala; two sisters: Sara Luokka and Faye Granroth; his special golfing buddy, Jack Lenten; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many, many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Weldon and Matt; his brothers in law Rodney Granroth and Marvin Luokka.
“Our Dad didn’t tell us how to live, he lived and let us watch him do it.”
Due to COVID restrictions, a private family service will be held at Koskey Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Negaunee, and one will also be held for family and friends in the Copper Country. Dates and times to be announced. Memorial considerations may be directed in his memory to the UP Honor Flight, 7508 J Road, Gladstone, MI 49837.
Glenn’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.
Glenn was born March 14, 1936 at the family home in Point Mills, MI to Matt and Victoria (Joyal) Binoniemi and graduated from Dollar Bay High School, Class of 1953. After serving and being honorably discharged from the United States Army at the end of the Korean War, he attended Suomi College and Northern Michigan University. He began working for LS&I Railroad and then as a computer programmer for Lasco. He came out of retirement and worked as a sign maker and installer for SignsNow in Marquette and then came out of retirement a third time and was a delivery man for Pellow Printing, Negaunee up until 2020.
He enjoyed being active in the community, and though he lived in Negaunee Township, he served on the Board of Trustees, and the Zoning and Planning Commission. When he moved to the City of Negaunee, he was asked to run for the City Council, and was proud to be elected and serve as the Mayor. Glenn also served on the Board of Review for many years. He was an active member of the Negaunee Lions Club, volunteered as a driver for the ski jumpers at the annual Suicide Hill Ski Jumping Tournaments, and was an active participant in developing and working on the Negaunee portion of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, and other trails throughout Old Towne. He especially enjoyed working on the Lions Club’s log cabin project in Old Towne. He was always being volunteered by his children and grandchildren to help with their various projects, especially if it meant being outdoors. He rarely turned down an opportunity.
He was a talented wood carver, a hobby he took up seriously in the past decade. He enjoyed the friendships he made with the Negaunee Carving Club, meeting on Wednesday mornings at the Negaunee Ice Arena. He could not tell a story without a pencil and piece of paper to draw you a diagram, map or picture. He loved to write and kept a logbook detailing time spent at the family camp dating back to the 60s. He also enjoyed golfing, long walks with his kids and grandkids, picking berries, riding his four-wheeler, feeding his feathered and four legged friends, building and flying model airplanes, and spending time with his sisters and cousins in the Copper Country. A most recent highlight was the trip to Washington, D.C. as part of the UP Honor Flight’s XVII Mission in September of 2019. He collected friends of all ages everywhere he went. “That’s why I like talking to people, they all have a story to share.” He had a special place in his heart for cats and his latest feline friend “Dottie” will miss their nightly game of fetch and all the attention he showered on her. He also maintained a friendship with both of his former wives: Sandra Pierce, and Maureen Olson, gathering the whole ‘kit and kaboodle’ to celebrate holidays together, which enriched the lives of all involved.
Surviving are his children: Kathy (Craig Williams) Binoniemi of Negaunee, Todd (Annette Syrjala) Binoniemi of Ishpeming, Sherry (Erik) Ulvila of Negaunee, Christy Binoniemi of Minneapolis, MN, Laura (Kenny) Brooks of Marquette, Emily (Andrew) Herbst of St. Louis, MO, and Caitlin (Manuel Garcia) Dube of Quito, Ecuador; grandchildren: Seth (Kendra) Dompierre, Sierra (Mikael) Larson, Jacklyn Lenten, Grace, Lily, Luke and Jacob Ulvila, Ruby Hands, Harlan Herbst and Eric Syrjala; great-grandchildren: Henry Dompierre, Jazalyn, Daks, and Gwen Syrjala; two sisters: Sara Luokka and Faye Granroth; his special golfing buddy, Jack Lenten; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many, many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Weldon and Matt; his brothers in law Rodney Granroth and Marvin Luokka.
“Our Dad didn’t tell us how to live, he lived and let us watch him do it.”
Due to COVID restrictions, a private family service will be held at Koskey Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer in Negaunee, and one will also be held for family and friends in the Copper Country. Dates and times to be announced. Memorial considerations may be directed in his memory to the UP Honor Flight, 7508 J Road, Gladstone, MI 49837.
Glenn’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.