Donald Sampson

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. - Donald Sampson, 82, Wakefield, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at the Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center, Iron Mountain.

He was born on March 7, 1932, in Wakefield, son of William and Aina (Jacobson) Sampson. Donald graduated from the Wakefield High School in 1950.

Donald served in the U.S. Army as a forward observer in the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany, achieving the rank of Corporal.

Donald was preceded in death by his eldest brother, Eugene.

In 1958, he married Vernie Lois Sampson, Eugene's widow, and raised his three children. She preceded him in death on January 13, 2012.

He enjoyed pitching horseshoes for Bingo's Bar and was proud of the many trophies that he had won and especially proud of winning the title of U.P. Champ.

He loved being in the woods cutting wood for his wood burner and doing wood carvings, which he sold in local shops and were even sold to Hollywood celebrities.

He also donated a hand-carved miner and lumberjack to the Wakefield Museum.

One of his greatest passions was ice fishing and often came home with a full stringer. He enjoyed having fish fries, saunas, and visiting with his family and friends.

He is survived by his son, Eugene (Kathy), Millington; daughters, Nadine (Jose Tinoco) Roebuck, Ironwood, and Christine (Dean) Stejskal, Ramsay; brother, Bob (Paulette) Sampson, Bessemer; sisters, Shirley (Harold) Aschenbrenner, Wakefield, Elain (Joe) Rivas, Texas, and Karen (Gene) LaCrosse, Ironwood; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his son, Michael, in 1968; brother, Kenneth; and sister, Ruth Cox.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 1, at 11 a.m. at the Cornerstone Church in Ramsay with the Rev. Todd Winkler officiating.

Family and friends will be received at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, Bessemer, is assisting the family with the arrangements.