Rudy A. Cigallio

WAKEFIELD, Mich. — Rudy A. Cigallio, 88, of Mountain View Road, Ironwood Township, died peacefully, Wednesday, July 3, 2013, in Wakefield, with his family by his side.

Rudy was born Sept. 10, 1924, in Anvil Location, son of the late Albino and Lena (Rizzie) Cigallio. He graduated from the A.D. Johnston High School with the class of 1942. He also graduated from the American Aircraft Institute in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State University, where he majored in accounting and minored in economics and law. He received certificates of completion for industrial engineering courses at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and from the CEIR Institute for advanced technology in management science and information systems.

Rudy worked for Goodyear Aircraft in Akron, Ohio, and Cramer, Beattie and Nichols CPA in Cadillac. He was a accountant and engineer for Pickands Mather and Company. He was also employed locally for Copper Range as an industrial engineer, systems analyst and director of computer applications until retirement in 1985.

He enjoyed gardening, bowling, golfing, reading and a good game of cards. He was an avid Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers fan.

Rudy was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, VFW Post 3673 of Bessemer, Elks Lodge 1278, Gogebic Country Club and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Rudy was a good friend to many.

During World War II, he served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army/Air Force from March 15, 1943, until Dec. 27, 1945, in the battles and campaigns of Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, Northern Solomons and South Philippines. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon and Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

On Feb. 7, 1948, he was united in marriage to the former Wilma Korpela at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood. Wilma survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Patrice (George) Wesa, of Ironwood, and Rebecca (John) Koivisto, of McDonough, Ga. Nieces and nephews survive.

Besides his parents, Rudy was preceded in death by two sons, Ronald and Perry; brothers, Leno and Albino; and a sister, Edythe Archambeau.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. The Rev. Robb Jurkovich will be the celebrant.

Rudy’s family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass in the St. Joseph’s Family Room.

Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard of Ironwood.

Burial will be in the Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township.

A luncheon will follow at Tacconelli’s.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood and Hurley has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.