Wesley E. Nara

BRUCE CROSSING, Mich. - Wesley E. Nara, 95, a long-time resident of Bruce Crossing, passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 11, 2016.

Wes was born on Dec. 1, 1921, at the family farm in Bruce Crossing, a son of Frank and Anna (Karvola) Nara.

In 1942, he entered the U.S. Navy and proudly served aboard the USS Essex and the USS Neshoba. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 3, 1946.

On July 27, 1946, Wes was united in marriage to Gertrude I. "Gerty" Johnson, of Ewen.

Wes worked at the North Star Dairy in Bruce Crossing for eight years and at the White Pine Copper Mine for 28 years. He retired in 1989.

Wes was an avid hunter and took great pride in cultivating a showpiece garden.

He was a lifelong member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church and a dedicated member of Henry A. Holappa Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9345 in Bruce Crossing.

Wes is survived by four daughters, Sheila (Ches) Johnson, Gail (Bill) Wolfe, Val (John) Wolfe and Stephanie (Rick) Ulness; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends and neighbors.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Gerty, on Nov. 24, 2015; a son, Garlen Wesley "Butch," on Dec. 4, 2015; two brothers, and three sisters.

A funeral service will be held Friday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. EST, preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m. EST, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 13980 N. Paynesville Road, in Bruce Crossing, with the Rev. Kay Richter officiating.

Following the service, military rites will take place at the church under the auspices of the Ontonagon County Veterans Association.

Luncheon will be served at the church fellowship hall following the military service.

The Nara family wishes to acknowledge and thank profoundly the wonderful staff, especially the second floor staff, at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility, who affectionately called him "Papa." They are truly a remarkable group of people who treat everybody with dignity and respect often during trying circumstances. We are truly fortunate to have such a committed group of compassionate caregivers in our community.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wesley's memory to Gogebic Medical Care Facility, 402 North St., Wakefield, MI 49968 or to Our Saviour Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 286, Ewen, MI 49925.

A committal service and interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery, Bruce Crossing, in the spring.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.