Dr. Julius C. 'Bud' Velin

MARQUETTE, Mich. - He ran the distance. Dr. Julius Conrad "Bud" Velin, 87, passed away Thursday evening, Dec. 5, 2013, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, where he had resided for the past 11 months. His wife, Gail Marlowe Velin, was with him.

Bud was born in Bessemer on May 23, 1926, to Conrad Velin and Josephine Knight Velin. He grew up in Bessemer with his older brother, Bill, and spent his summers at nearby Lake Gogebic, which always remained a special place to him. He attended Bessemer schools and, following high school graduation, joined the war effort, enlisting in the Navy.

In 1951, he earned a degree in podiatric medicine, or DPM, from what is now known as the School College at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago. He practiced podiatry in Ishpeming until his retirement.

Always interested in physical fitness and outdoors, Bud was an avid golfer, fisherman and occasional hunter, but in the early 1960s, he began the activity that was to become his lifelong passion - running. For the next 40 years, he was a well-known presence on the U.P. running scene. He and Gail traveled throughout the U.S. to participate in marathons and long distance runs. He logged more than 144 marathons or better in his running career, including the original from Marathon to Athens, Greece.

Until recently, Bud and Gail spent the winter months in Honolulu, and summer at their home on Lake Superior in Harvey. Bud loved his summer home on Lake Superior and spending the winter in Hawaii, where he longed to return, but was prevented by ill health.

Bud was a member of the Marquette Elks Club B.P.O.E. 405 and Richard Jopling Post 44 of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Gail, and daughters, Juliann (David) Williams, of Ishpeming, and Jeanne (Robert) Short, of Lincolnville, Maine; granddaughters, Simone Chiodini, Serena Williams and Gianna Short; and great-granddaughter, Annabel Cole; his stepchildren, Cindi (Mike) Makela, of Marquette, and Brian (Mary J. Antilla-Carello) Marlowe, of Negaunee; stepgrandchildren, Randy (Olivia Montgomery) Makela, Jason (Lynn) Makela, Kaley (Mark) Niemi, Mitchell Marlowe and Joe (Shirley) Juidici; stepgreat-grandchildren, Rayna Makela, Lily and Olivia Niemi, and Ray Juidici; and good friend, Terry Green, of Marquette.

Bud was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Velin, and his wife, Anne; and former wife, Delores Velin.

Bud was a kind and generous husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be remembered for his melodic singing voice, original sense of humor that was with him until the end, and zest for living.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the chapel of the Jacobetti Home for Veterans on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 1:30 p.m. EST until the time of service at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Ben Paris will officiate and veteran's honors will be provided by members of the American Legion.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff and residents of the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, especially the Special Needs Unit, for the care and many kindnesses extended to Bud and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Activity Fund of the Jacobetti Home for Veterans, 425 Fisher St., Marquette MI 49855.

The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderfuneralhome.com.