Phillip J. 'Buck' Hendrickson

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Phillip J. "Buck" Hendrickson, 58, of Ironwood Township, Mich., died unexpectedly Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem.

Phil was born June 10, 1957, in Wakefield, Mich., one of seven children to Phillip and Ruth (Helmes) Hendrickson. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1975 and continued on to Gogebic Community College in Ironwood. He finished his education at Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Mich., in 1979, graduating with a bachelor's degree in mining engineering. He worked for US Steel in Minnesota for 3 1/2 years and moved to Pennsylvania with wife, Carol (Hill), whom he married in 1977, and son, Cory, and daughter, Jamie. He worked for Coplay Cement of Nazareth for a time then joined Maurer & Scott Inc. of Coopersburg as a licensed blaster since 1986 to the present time. While at Maurer & Scott Inc., he held the position of Vice President until his semi-retirement.

In 2001, he and his wife moved back to Ironwood to build their dream home on Lake Superior - a custom log home. He enjoyed his hobbies of woodworking, fishing and gardening. He continued the family business of growing, maintaining and selling blueberries.

Phil is survived by his wife, Carol; son Cory, and daughter, Jamie (John) Staniec, both of Wind Gap, Pa .; grandchildren Jonathan and Josslyn Staniec; siblings, Jeffrey Hendrickson (Diane Romatz), Marquette, Mich., Christine "Tina" (Brian) Ciesielczyk, Ironwood, Rolf (Beth) Hendrickson, Ironwood, Jane Richards, Minocqua, Wis., and Lisa (Wayne) Jorgensen, Geneva, Ill .; uncle, Alvar Helmes, Battle Ground, Wash .; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Nancy (Dean) Duckwitz, Colorado Springs, Colo., Gilman (Beth) Hill, Ironwood, and Tom (Darri) Hill, Yadkinville, N.C .; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Paul; and niece, Mindy Hendrickson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 28, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Jean B. Rencontre officiating.

Luncheon will follow at the Elk & Hound on Country Club Road in Ironwood.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Phil's memory can be made to the American Heart Association or a local charity of one's choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.