John F. Nurmi, 78, of Mercer, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at Avanti Health and Rehabilitation Center in Minocqua.      He was born Feb. 2, 1935, in Ironwood, Mich., son of the late Niilo and Rachel (Willing) Nurmi, and moved to Ashland when entering the fourth grade, where he attended Ellis Elementary School and graduated from Ashland High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in Dec ember 1952, serving in Germany and throughout the Mediterranean during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in Jan uary 1956.      After discharge, John returned to Ashland and worked for the Northwestern Railroad, sailed on the Great Lakes for the MA Hannah Company, then worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, Wash. Moving back to Ashland, he attended Northland College for two years, then went to Milwaukee and worked for American Motors, also attending U nive rsity of Wisconsin -Milwaukee.      John married the former Rita Peacy in Ashland on Aug. 13, 1960. They resided in Milwaukee and then returned to Ashland for John to finish his schooling. He graduated from Northland College in 1961, then took a job in the Wabeno School District as K-8 principal and sixth grade teacher. Moving to Mercer   in 1965, he worked at the Manitowish Waters Elementary School from 1965-1967, then taught third and fourth grades in Mercer for 29 years, retiring in 1996. While in Mercer, John coached cross country track for close to 18 years. He also took graduate courses at both UW-Stevens Point and Superior. His school activities included Patriots Pen, Voice of Democracy and serving on the Mercer Education Foundation. During summer months, he held a variety of jobs around the area to include the t own of Mercer, Tri-State Homes, Mercer Sport Shop and The Warehouse. He also served on the Mercer volunteer fire department and also as an EMT.      John was a life member of both Mercer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9536 and Mercer-Manitowish Waters American Legion Post 424, joining both organizations in 1980. He served as commander of VFW Post 9536 for over 20 years, and was a member of the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association, Mercer Veteran's Memorial Committee, and St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church and its parish council.      Surviving are his daughter, Nancy (Dan) Owen, and grandson, Byron Owen, all of Minocqua; two sisters, Margaret Provost, Ashland, and Mary Ann Pinoniemi, Ridgeway, Mich.; an uncle, Paavo (Nancy) Nurmi, St. Ignace, Mich.; two nephews, John (Cheryl) Peacy and Joseph Peacy (Holly Cute), who held a special place in John's heart; numerous other nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law, Howard Peacy, Wausau, and Robert (Beverly) Peacy, Waukesha; and a sister-in-law, Doris Olson, Spooner.      Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife Rita, of 47 years, on June 23, 2008.      Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, March 1, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, with the Rev. Michael Hayden, celebrant.        Rite of Committal will take place at the church, where full military honors will be accorded by the combined Mercer VFW Post 9536 and Mercer-Manitowish Waters American Legion Post 424 Honor Guard.      Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.      Spring interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ashland.      In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.      Condolences may be given to John's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.