Joseph D. Serbin

HURLEY, Wis. - Joseph D. Serbin, 72, of Cary Road, Hurley, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born at home in Ironwood, Mich., on July 26, 1943, son of the late John and Gertrude (Koponen) Serbin.

Joseph attended the Newport Grade School and graduated from the Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood with the class of 1961. From June of 1960 until November of 1962, he served in the National Guard until an honorable medical discharge. In 1965, he was employed as a machinist in Holland, Mich., for three years. He then enrolled at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., where he received a Machinist Certificate. Joseph was then employed at Wisconsin Centrifugal in Waukesha before returning to Ironwood. Locally, he was employed in maintenance at the Gogebic County Aging Unit, the Villa Maria, Aging Unit of Iron County and Powderhorn.

He loved to fish and bow hunt, and was a fan of the Detroit Red Wings. He enjoyed working with odds and ends. Joseph constructed a mobile deck on wheels. He was an avid collector of nutcrackers and loved the bag pipes. Joseph was a volunteer at the Treasure House in Montreal and also at the Iron County Memorial Building. He also bowled at the Hurley Lanes. Joseph also helped out at Lutey's Flower Shop delivering flowers.

On Sept. 27, 1965, he was married to the former Lora Johnson in Ironwood. He was then married to the former Roberta Herman on July 27, 1996, in Hurley. She preceded him in death on June 2, 2002.

He is survived by Lora Johnson-Westeen; a son, Michael Serbin, of Ironwood; stepson, Joseph Herman, of Stetsonville; four daughters, Joanne (Mark) Newberry, of Medford, Kim Serbin, of Kentucky, Jill (Damen) Briggs, of Hurley, and Lora (Scott) Schlicher, of Ironwood; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, John "Jack" (Marsha) Serbin, of Waukesha, and Jim (Sally) Serbin, of Holland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives.

Besides his parents and wife, Joseph was preceded in death by two sisters, Janice Hackenjos and Geraldine Westeen.

Cremation will take place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2016. Father Frank Kordek, OFM will be the celebrant.

Joseph's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass in the St. Joseph's Family Room at OLOP on Tuesday. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard of Ironwood.

Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will be at the Hurley Cemetery.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood is assisting the family with arrangements. To send on line condolences, visit rangefuneralservices.com.