Dennis J. Trudgeon

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Dennis J. Trudgeon, 60, of 1855 Hewitt St., Ishpeming, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Marquette General Hospital following a brief illness.

Dennis was born June 15, 1953, in Ironwood, where he grew up and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1971. Dennis served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1974 and was stationed in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Ironwood and furthered his education at Gogebic Community College, receiving an associate degree in accounting in 1975. He moved to Ishpeming in 1976 and remained there since that time.

He began dating Jean LaFond in 1980, and they were united in marriage on Aug. 16, 1986. Dennis was raised Catholic and had attended the St. Joseph's Catholic Church with his wife, Jean, whom he is now reunited with.

Dennis was employed for the past 28 years by Cliffs Natural Resources, or CCI, most recently as a mine operations supervisor. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying time spent at camp at Three Lakes, and will be remembered as a successful deer hunter and fisherman. Dennis loved to spoil his grandchildren.

Survivors include his five children, Nathan Trudgeon, of Waukesha, Wis., Erin (Ed) Canning, of White Cloud, Janel LaBelle, of Marquette, Eric Trudgeon, of Iron Mountain, and Sara Trudgeon, of Ishpeming; eight grandchildren, Rebekah, Tia, Carrigan, Kayla, Kobe, Kaleb, Ean and Hailey; three brothers, Alan (Marlys) Trudgeon, of Negaunee, Randy (Debra) Trudgeon, of Quinnesec, and David (Nancy) Trudgeon, of Brooklyn Park, Minn .; an uncle, Donald (Darlene) Borgaro, of Deerwood, Minn .; and an aunt, Margaret (John) Kangas, of Salem, Ore .; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, on Nov. 20, 2013; his parents, David F. and Marie Ann (Borgaro) Trudgeon; and an infant sister, Terri Trudgeon.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 17, at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming.

Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating.

Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be Eric, Nathan, Marty, Alan, Randy and David Trudgeon, Ed Canning and Rob Rajala.

Dennis' obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.