Reino L. Mattson

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Reino L. Mattson, 87, of Greenbush Street, Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at home with his family by his side.

He was born Nov. 1, 1929, in Bruce Crossing, son of the late Albert and Sophie (Niskanen) Mattson.

Reino attended Paynesville schools and worked on the family farm as a young man. He was employed as a miner at the White Pine Copper Mine for many years. He also worked for a short time in Detroit. In 1970, he was employed by MSHA (Mine Safety Health Administration) as a mine inspector at the federal office in Vincennes, Ind. In 1975, he became a supervisor of the MSHA office in Macon, Ga. Reino retired in 1993.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed gardening, canning, woodworking and throwing horseshoes. Reino also sharpened saws and saw blades at his home. During retirement, he and his wife, Sandy, enjoyed traveling with their fifth wheel throughout the United States.

From Nov. 6, 1952, until Oct. 21, 1954, he served in the U.S. Army with Company D 18th Infantry during the Korean War. He was awarded with the Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Reino was a member of the American Legion Post 5 of Ironwood and a Life Member of the VFW post 3673 of Bessemer. He was also a member of the Salem Lutheran Church of Ironwood.

On June 30, 1956, he was married to the former Sandra Jean Borton in Bruce Crossing. She survives. Also surviving is a son, Reino (Emily) Mattson Jr., of Monrovia, Ind .; two daughters, Brenda (Terry) Frederick and Cindy Rogers, both of Martinsville, Ind .; six grandchildren, Lyla, Ryan, Kyle, T.C., Eric and Sophie; and six great-grandchildren, Ezra, Tate, Ira, Dax, Bryce and Gabriella. Also surviving is a sister, Elaine Small, of Wyoming; and many nieces, nephews and relatives.

Besides his parents, Reino was preceded in death by brothers Leo, Lawrence and Harry; and a sister, Lyla Kamarainen.

Funeral services will be held at the Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood on Tuesday, March 14, at 11 a.m. Rev. Kurt Kovanen will officiate. Reino's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Tuesday.

Military rites will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will also be members of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall.

Spring burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.

Range Funeral Service Inc. and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To view this obituary online and make online condolences visit rangefuneralservices.com.