Myron L. "Mike" Fafford, 85, of 910 Chestnut St., Ironwood, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wis. He was born Feb. 17, 1923, in Saxon, Wis., son of the late Edward and Ada (Fountain) Fafford, and graduated from Saxon High School with the Class of 1940, the largest graduating class in the history of the school. He also served as vice-president of that class. Following graduation, Mike worked on the ore boats out of Duluth, Minn. until entering the U.S. Army on May 11, 1943, serving his country proudly in the European Theatre of Operations during World War II, and was honorably discharged on Dec. 6, 1945. Following his discharge from the service, he returned to Hurley where he was employed as a baker at Daoust's Pasty Shop, as a milk route delivery driver for Wally Curik, and as grocery manager at Erspamer's Supermarket, retiring in 1982. Mike was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. His strong faith gave him the strength to face adversity in the last five months of his life. A man of integrity, Mike was a hardworker who passed on the value of a good work ethic to his five children. He will be remembered for his love of a winning game of cribbage and his ability to tell a good story. In recent years, many good friendships were formed on the casino bus. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. He was an excellent role model, fudge and pizzelle maker. He had a good heart. Mike was married to the former Norma Wassgren on Jan. 19, 1946, at the St. Ann's Catholic Church Rectory in Saxon. She preceded him in death on Nov. 2, 1950. He then was married to Fern Oliver on June 6, 1955, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Pence, Wis., by the Rev. Coleman. Fern preceded him in death on Nov. 7, 1996. Surviving are a son, Kenneth, Edwardsville, Ill.; four daughters, Suzanne (Jack) Banach, Fredrick, MD, Norma (Jack) Kipp, Wausau, Polly (Ed) DuRose, Roseville, Minn., and Mary (Randy) Ahnen, Bessemer; eleven granddaughters, Jennifer Banach, Emily (Eric) Hood, Stephanie Banach, Kate (Josh Nowinsky) Kipp, Molly (Fletcher) Harrison, Bridgette and Rachael DuRose, and Maria, Sarah, Megan and Julie Ahnen; two great-grandsons, Chase and Camden Hood; a sister, Elaine Larson, Ironwood; sisters-and-brother-in-law, Barbara Feliziani, Oakland, N.J., Lillian Oliver, Lake Orion, Adele and Norm Jensen, Anchorage, Alaska, and Nora Wassgren, Washburn, Wis.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl Pepin, celebrant, and the Rev. Louis Bracket, con-celebrant. Luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Rite of Committal and inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military rites will be accorded by the combined Ironwood American Legion Post 5 and Mercier-Kero Saxon American Legion Post 371 Honor Guards. Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Our Lady of Peace Adopt-A-Student Program or to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. To view Mike's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.