Robert F. Bielawski, 74,
recently of Marquette and a former longtime Ironwood resident, died Tuesday,
Feb. 18, 2014, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette. Bob was born Jan. 1, 1940, in Montreal, Wis.,
son of the late Frank and Doris (Berg) Bielawski, and graduated from J.E. Murphy
High School in Hurley, Wis., in 1958. He then served in the U. S. Air Force, and
upon discharge, joined the First National Bank of Ironwood in 1962. He was a
graduate of the Air Force Institute and Northern Michigan University School of
Banking. He was promoted to the position of assistant vice president in 1986 and
retired after 37 years of dedicated service to MFC First National Bank in
1999. Bob was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic
Church in Ironwood and the former St. Michael's Catholic Church. He was a
charter member of the Ironwood Area Jaycees and served as senator of the Junior
Chamber International. Among his numerous civic, fraternal, governmental and
charitable associations was service as secretary of the Gogebic Area Salvation
Army, past treasurer of the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce, past
secretary-treasurer of the Ironwood United Way, president of the Ironwood Police
and Firemen Pension Board, member of the city planning commission, member of
Ironwood American Legion Post 5, member of the Economic Development Committee,
past member of the Gogebic Association for Retarded Citizens board and officer
of the Range Banking Association. He was named the community's Citizen of
the Year by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce at their annual installation
banquet at the Towne House Motor Inn in 1986. On Oct. 26, 1959, he was married to the former
Karen Keith in Milbank, S.D. Surviving are his wife, Karen, of 54
years; three daughters, Lorelei (Stephen) Bibler, Hesperia, Calif., Dawn (John)
Mayotte, Negaunee, and Crystal (Peter) Massoglia, Marquette; five grandchildren,
Deanna and Leah Bibler, Ian Mayotte, and Brittany and Stephanie Massoglia; two
stepgrandchildren, Misti and Stacy; six stepgreat-grandchildren; an aunt, Esther
Eschenbauch, and cousin, Gerald Hedman, both of Presque Isle, Wis.; and
brothers-and sisters-in-law, Michael and Vicki Keith, Savage, Minn., and Ronnie
and Bonnie Keith, Willmar, Minn. Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death
by a sister, Delores Bielawski; sister-in-law, Judy Malvin; and brothers-in-law,
Judd Malvin and Steve Keith. Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has
taken place. Memorial services will be held Friday, Feb.
28, at 11:30 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10:30 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich
officiating. Full military honors will be accorded by the
Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Luncheon will follow. Rite of Committal and interment will be in St.
Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may
be made to the HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood, MI
49938. Arrangements have been entrusted to
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood,
where condolences may be given online at
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.