James John Gregory

WAKEFIELD, Mich. — James John Gregory, 87, of Ironwood, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, with his daughter at his side.

He was born on March 15, 1927, in Ironwood, son of the late Tony and Frances (Severin) Gregory.

In 1951, he was united in marriage with Ruth E. Sorvari. She preceded him in death on March 13, 2008.

James was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United Sates Navy. He had been employed as a machinist at the Montreal Mine and White Pine Copper, and did machinist work in Ironwood, Ashland, Wis., and Minneapolis.

His greatest passion was fishing and hunting with his children.

He is survived by six children, James, of Hurley, Wis., Larry (Nancy), of Minneapolis, Levon Ladwig, of Kimball, Wis., Patrick, of St. Paul, Minn., Andrea (Larry) Youngs, of Hurley, and Brook (Randy) Brier, of Roberts, Wis .; three brothers, Joe (Marie), of Sunnyvale, Texas, Jerry, of Taylor, and John (Kittie), of Ishpeming; three sisters, Frances Aimar, of Buffalo, N.Y., Marian (David) Eplett, of Ironwood, and Marge (Bob) Johnson, of Onalaska, Wis .; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, James was preceded in death by one brother, Thomas; one sister, Kathleen Goodfellow; his son-in-law, Keith Ladwig; and one granddaughter, Danielle Ladwig.

Cremation has taken place at the Range Crematory in Hurley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 25, at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. The Rev. Robb Jurkovich will be the celebrant.

A military flag presentation will be conducted by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends Friday from 1 p.m. until the service at the church.

Spring inurnment will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood.