Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Roy A. Ilminen, 93, of Kimball, Wis., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood.
He was born Aug. 24, 1921, in Kimball Township, to his parents, August and Aino (Hori) Ilminen, and graduated from Hurley High School, Hurley, Wis., in 1941. He played in a band, The Blue Jackets, until joining the U.S Army Air Corps on June 20, 1944, serving as a radar mechanic during World War II, and was honorably discharged as a corporal on Dec. 5, 1945.
Roy was married to the former Elaine V. Paavola on May 3, 1945, at the Zion Lutheran parsonage in Ironwood, by the late Rev. Jacob Hirvi. He worked at various jobs until starting Industrial and Home Cleaning, which he operated until his retirement.
He was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood and served on the church council. He also served on the Iron County Board of Supervisors and the Kimball Town Board.
Surviving are his wife, Elaine, of 69 years; children, Randy (Jan) Ilminen, Duluth, Minn., Gary (Jacci Shauger) Ilminen, Lone Rock, Wis., and Cheryl (Stan) Wildenberg, Madison, Wis .; seven grandchildren who loved their "Bapa," Lisa Ilminen, Luri Ilminen, LeeAnn (K.C.) Myers, Jesse, Brady and Elaina Ilminen and Matthew Wildenberg; two great-granddaughters, Lukah and Lilith Myers; nephews, Robert and Alan Christiano; and niece, Dea (Richard) Creech.
Preceding Roy in death were his parents and his sister, Lami Ilminen Christiano.
Per Roy's wishes, cremation has taken place.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., with Pastor Kurt Brandon officiating.
A flag presentation ceremony will be accorded by members of the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron County VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard.
Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.
To view Roy's obituary online, sign his guestbook or offer condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.
