Obituary for Richard O. Maki
Richard O. Maki, 81, of E5299
W. Norrie Park Rd., Erwin Township, Ironwood, died Wednesday, March 31, 2010, in
his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a lengthy
illness. He was born Jan. 31, 1929, in Hibbing, Minn.,
son of the late Emil and Helmi (Maki) Maki, and attended Hibbing
schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17
on Feb. 12, 1946, serving in the 9th Armor Division in occupation forces in
Europe, and was honorably discharged in Feb. 1949. He then reenlisted on Nov. 14, 1950, serving in
Germany as a military policeman in the 1st Armor Division, and was honorably
discharged in July 1952. Following his discharge, Richard came to
Ironwood and was employed at the Ahonen Lumber Co., White Pine Copper Co., in
the Penokee Mine, and at Schult Mobile Homes. He retired from Bessemer Plywood
Co. after suffering a severe hand injury in 1978. Richard was a member of Our Lady of Peace
Catholic Church in Ironwood, the Aurora Athletic Club, and the Norrie Amateur
Sports Club. He loved playing cribbage and smear, and played in range area
leagues. His hobbies included working around his home that he built and working
in his yard on his lawn tractor. His greatest joy was his
grandchildren. On Aug 21, 1954, he was married to the former
Esther V. Canalia at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. Esther
survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Cheryl (Mark) Pitman, Minocqua, Wis.; four sons,
Richard E. (Barbara), Clarksville, Tenn., Randall (Toni), Maple Grove, Minn.,
Ronald (Janine), Gurney, Wis., and Russell (Angela), Canton, Mich.; 11
grandchildren, James, Lauren, Ashley, Andrew, Andrea, John, Virginia, Veronica,
Michael, John Ryan and Adeline; one great-granddaughter, Bridgette; a sister,
Shirley (Floyd) Erickson, Bessemer; and numerous nieces, nephews and other
relatives. Out of respect for Richard's wishes, cremation
has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
Tuesday, April 6, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood,
with the Rev. Darryl Pepin, celebrant. Rite of Committal will take place in the St.
Joseph Family Room at the church, where full military honors will be accorded by
the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Luncheon will follow in the parish
hall. Private inurnment will be in St. Mary's
Cemetery, Hurley, later this spring. Relatives and friends may call in the St.
Joseph Family Room at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday. To view Richard's obituary online, sign the
guestbook and express condolences, visit
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Richard's family wishes to extend a special
thank you to the Regional Hospice staff for their caring, support and guidance
given to them during Richard's final days
W. Norrie Park Rd., Erwin Township, Ironwood, died Wednesday, March 31, 2010, in
his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a lengthy
illness. He was born Jan. 31, 1929, in Hibbing, Minn.,
son of the late Emil and Helmi (Maki) Maki, and attended Hibbing
schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17
on Feb. 12, 1946, serving in the 9th Armor Division in occupation forces in
Europe, and was honorably discharged in Feb. 1949. He then reenlisted on Nov. 14, 1950, serving in
Germany as a military policeman in the 1st Armor Division, and was honorably
discharged in July 1952. Following his discharge, Richard came to
Ironwood and was employed at the Ahonen Lumber Co., White Pine Copper Co., in
the Penokee Mine, and at Schult Mobile Homes. He retired from Bessemer Plywood
Co. after suffering a severe hand injury in 1978. Richard was a member of Our Lady of Peace
Catholic Church in Ironwood, the Aurora Athletic Club, and the Norrie Amateur
Sports Club. He loved playing cribbage and smear, and played in range area
leagues. His hobbies included working around his home that he built and working
in his yard on his lawn tractor. His greatest joy was his
grandchildren. On Aug 21, 1954, he was married to the former
Esther V. Canalia at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. Esther
survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Cheryl (Mark) Pitman, Minocqua, Wis.; four sons,
Richard E. (Barbara), Clarksville, Tenn., Randall (Toni), Maple Grove, Minn.,
Ronald (Janine), Gurney, Wis., and Russell (Angela), Canton, Mich.; 11
grandchildren, James, Lauren, Ashley, Andrew, Andrea, John, Virginia, Veronica,
Michael, John Ryan and Adeline; one great-granddaughter, Bridgette; a sister,
Shirley (Floyd) Erickson, Bessemer; and numerous nieces, nephews and other
relatives. Out of respect for Richard's wishes, cremation
has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
Tuesday, April 6, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood,
with the Rev. Darryl Pepin, celebrant. Rite of Committal will take place in the St.
Joseph Family Room at the church, where full military honors will be accorded by
the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Luncheon will follow in the parish
hall. Private inurnment will be in St. Mary's
Cemetery, Hurley, later this spring. Relatives and friends may call in the St.
Joseph Family Room at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday. To view Richard's obituary online, sign the
guestbook and express condolences, visit
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Richard's family wishes to extend a special
thank you to the Regional Hospice staff for their caring, support and guidance
given to them during Richard's final days