Gerald 'Jerry' Kenneth Korpi

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. - Gerald "Jerry" Kenneth Korpi, 74, of Pioneer Park Apartments, Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2015, at the Oscar G. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center in Iron Mountain.

Jerry was born at home in Ironwood on Nov. 12, 1940, during a snowstorm. His mother always joked that Jerry rolled in, in a snowball. He was the only son of the late Jalmer and Johanna (Kantala) Korpi.

Jerry graduated from Luther L. Wright High School with the Class of 1958. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy and completed two tours of duty. He was an aviation mechanic and spent time in Hawaii, Guam and the South Pacific. He shared many stories of his Navy days with his nieces and nephews.

On Oct. 20, 1979, he married the love of his life, the former Mary Kay Sisko. She preceded him in death on Feb. 14, 1982.

Jerry enjoyed many things in life, including hunting, fishing and working on cars. In his youth he was an avid ski jumper and loved to cross country ski. He also loved NASCAR, never missing the Sunday races.

Following his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he was a local mechanic and auto body man until his retirement. He also owned a fishing charter service out of Black River Harbor, proudly naming his boat Mary Kay.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn Allen and Elaine Suiter; brother-in-law, Ronald Lombardo; and sister-in-law, Shirley Harkins.

Jerry is survived by three sisters, Florence Walls, of Troy, and Deloris (Pat) Gallinagh and Dianna "Dolly" (Jan) Erickson, both of Ironwood; brothers-in-law, Jim (Margie) Sisko, Wausau, Wis., and Danny Harkins, Lawton, Okla .; and sisters- in-law, Beverly Lombardo, Hurley, Wis., and Sandy (Don) Gertz, Ironwood. He was "Uncle Jerry" to many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He will be missed.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 7, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at The Lighthouse Faith Center in Ironwood, with Pastor Tom Rouse officiating.

Committal and inurnment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

A light lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Lighthouse Faith Center, 777 E. Ayer St., Ironwood, MI 49938.

Jerry's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to his family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.