Mario John Ravanelli

APPLETON, Wis. - Mario John Ravanelli, 89, of Appleton, formerly of Sanders Road, Ramsay, Mich., passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at Willow Lane Assisted Living in Appleton, after a short stay.

His elder years became difficult and he is now at peace.

Mario was born on March 23, 1925, in Bessemer, Mich., the son of Nicholas and Archangela (Zanoni) Ravanelli, immigrants from Northern Italy, and had two sisters.

Mario was a lifelong resident of the Gogebic Range. He shared with his family many boyhood stories of growing up in the area.

Mario joined the U.S. Navy and served on a mine sweeper during World War II, which provided him with the biggest adventure of his life.

After his honorable discharge, he attended Michigan State University and graduated with a degree in forestry.

On July 12, 1952, in Ramsay, Mario was united in marriage to Agnes Lillian Sanders, also a lifelong resident of the area. They were blessed with four children.

Throughout his adult life, Mario worked as a forester in the area and was employed by mining companies, the Job Corps and American Can Paper Company. He officially retired on April 1, 1990.

Mario was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield, Mich., and the Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673.

Mario most enjoyed doing productive things outdoors, including making firewood, house projects, car repairs, lawnmowing and gardening.

He was especially well versed in Gogebic Range historical facts and it was only a matter of time before conversations leaned towards mining ore tonnage and old-growth timber.

Mario is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Agnes "Babes," Appleton; four children, Pat (Roy) Modjewski, High Point, N.C., Priscilla Ravanelli (Alan) Hale, Rochester, Minn., Pamela Blough, Appleton, and Nicholas (Nancy) Ravanelli, Sayner; his son-in-law, Jon Blough, Owatonna, Minn .; five grandchildren, Craig Modjewski, Amanda and Christopher Blough, and Alyssa and Nicole Ravanelli; a great-grandson, Riley Modjewski; a sister, Lydia McGowan, Gurnee, Ill; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and two brothers-in-law, Laura and Al Mortorelli and Mac McGowan; a niece; all three of his wife's siblings and their spouses; and many acquaintances from the Gogebic Range.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield, with the Rev. Antony Lukka, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer, with a military graveside service under the auspices of the Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and the Bessemer VFW Post 3673 Honor Guard.

Lunch will be served downstairs of Immaculate Conception Church following the cemetery service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, Wakefield, Jerald Rocco, owner-manager. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.