Melvin A. Wakkinen Sr., 86,
of 714 Garvey St., Ironwood, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, in his home, with his
family by his side, following a lengthy, courageous battle with
cancer.      Melvin was born Aug. 10, 1924, in Moore, Wis.,
son of the late Jacob and Alecandra (Jackson) Wakkinen. He attended Hurley
schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1943. He then entered the U.S.
Army, proudly serving his country during World War II in the European Theater of
Operations in the 740th Field Artillery Battalion, and was honorably discharged
as a private first class in 1946..      Following his discharge, he returned to the
area and was employed in the Montreal Mine and at White Pine Copper Co., and
also as a millworker during that time.      Melvin was a member of Ironwood American
Legion Post 5 and Northland Chapter No 66, Disabled American Veterans. He loved
reading and watching Detroit Tiger baseball.      Surviving are three sons, James, George
(Judy), Lindale, Tx., and Melvin Jr., Ironwood; three daughters, Sandra (Dick)
Niemi, Wakefield, Mary Alexander, Ironwood, and Helen (Joe) Smallwood, Mineola,
Tx.; 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.      Besides his parents, he was preceded in death
by two great-granddaughters, Brianna and Stephanie Charles; a brother, Edwin;
and his former wife, Lucille Lipske.      Private graveside services and interment, with
full military honors accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor
Guard, will be held in the spring in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Memorials are preferred to the Ironwood
Carnegie Library, 235 E. Aurora St., Ironwood, Mich. 49938      Condolences may be expressed online at
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood.