William Joseph 'Big Bill' Pertile

IRONWOOD, Mich. - William Joseph "Big Bill" Pertile, 80, of North Defer Road, Kimball Township, died Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, in Ironwood. He was born Jan. 16, 1933, on the family farm in Kimball, Wis., son of the late Guy and Rose (Vittone) Pertile. Bill attended St. Mary's Grade School.  He worked on the farm and was employed in the local mines. He also was employed at the Hurley Foundry, Don Stevens Developers Inc. and with Wayne Nasi Construction until retirement.

He was a member of the Kimball Mens Club, area beagle clubs and enjoyed helping the Kimball Fire Department. He volunteered at their annual turkey feed. He especially enjoyed making wood, gardening and raising hogs and animals. Bill enjoyed helping his friends and neighbors with any chores that required tending to. He was often the first one there and the last one to leave, and never complained about any work that needed to be done.

On Aug. 11, 1956, he was married to the former Marjorie Joswiak at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley by the Rev. Roger A. Holup. She preceded him in death in May of 1992.

Bill is survived by two daughters, Linda (Mark) Zarzyski of Kimball and Gail Schimke of Gile; four grandchildren, Gina (John) Jaruszewski of Minnetonka, Minn., Cameron, Melissa and David; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers, Anton (Antonette) Pertile of Ironwood and Bob Pertile of Bessemer; sisters, Margaret (Donald) Lonsway and Adele (Henry) Vandenberg, both of Ironwood, and Rosemary (Gary) Eskola of Kimball; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and good friends.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Pertile, and a great-grandson.

As Bill would often say at the end of telephone conversations with friends and family, "Good night and God bless ya!"

Cremation will take place at the Range Crematory in Hurley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Frank Kordek OFM will be the celebrant. Bill's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of mass at the church on Tuesday. Spring inurnment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Hurley and Ironwood is assisting the family.