Rudy J. Massi

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Rudy J. Massi, 76, of Wakefield, died Thursday, May 22, 2014, in Wakefield.

He was born Feb. 19, 1938, in Ironwood, son of the late Virgil and Elsie (Carlson) Massi. His stepmother, Eva Massi, survives in Anvil.

Rudy attended Bessemer schools and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School with the class of 1956. He served in the United States Marines Corps from July 11, 1956, until July 10, 1958. He was employed at the White Pine Copper Mine for 36 years and then at Action Floors in Mercer, Wis. He also worked for his brother, Dick Massi.

Rudy enjoyed playing softball, both when he was young, as well as old-timers. He especially enjoyed coaching girls baseball. He loved to be with family and friends.

On March 16, 1960, he was married to the former Rosalie July in Pine City, Minn. She preceded him in death on Sept. 7, 1987.

He is survived by four children, Joe (Cheryl) Massi and Debbie (Ray) Brown, both of Erwin Township, and Brian (Jane) Massi and Cindy Massi, both of Wakefield; 15 grandchildren, Rudy (Carrie) Massi, Joseph Massi, LeAnne (Evan) Krahn, Terry Sordahl, John (Julie) Cacanic, Dustyn (Matt) Belcher, Brooke (Tavis) Whitesell, Mallory Massi, Marissa Massi, Christopher Massi, Dillon Lehtinen, Jochel (Jacob) Rady, and Cory, Courtney and Tiffany Alexandroni; 14 great-grandchildren, Austin, Katelyn Rose, Daysha, Hunter, Ian, Emma, McKenna, Brady, Mathis, Aiden, Devon, Genesis, Allyson and Colten; a brother, Ronnie Massi, of Minnesota; a sister, Pat (Tony) Comparin, of Ironwood; a stepbrother, Billy (Terri) Wirtanen, of St. Louis, Mo .; a stepsister, Jacki (David) Hoglund, of Arizona; and a half sister, Jody Massi, of Hurley, Wis. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Besides his parents and wife, Rudy was preceded in death by a son, Craig; and two brothers, Dick and Robert.

Cremation will take place at the Range Crematory in Hurley, Wis.

A celebration of Rudy's life will be held at the Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, 304 S. Sophie St., Bessemer, on Saturday, May 31, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding with military rites at 11:30 a.m., accorded by the Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and VFW Post 3673 combined Honor Guard.

Inurnment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Frick-Zielinski Funeral of Bessemer have been entrusted with funeral arrangements.