Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
HURLEY, Wis. - Lawrence Samardich, 83, of Gile, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.
He was born March 11, 1934, in Gile, son of the late Robert and Myrtle (Wheeler) Samardich. He attended schools in Gile and Montreal and graduated from Hurley High School in 1952. Upon graduation, he attended Gogebic Community College where he received an associate degree in 1954. He then attended Northwest Institute of Technology in Minneapolis where he studied medical technology in 1955.
Lawrence served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958. Following his discharge, he attended Wisconsin State College-Superior where he obtained his bachelor's degree in education. He later obtained a master's degree in education administration and taught in Minocqua and Ironwood, Mich.
Lawrence was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley. He served as mayor of the city of Montreal, was a member of the Hurley School Board, and retired after 28 years as Iron County Director of Social Services.
He married the former Barbara Eckert in June of 1960. She preceded him in death on July 24, 1974.
In 1983, he was married to Lois Engstrom. They resided in Gile. She survives.
Also surviving are four sons, Mark (Sue), Bessemer, Mich., David (Cindy), Montreal, Jon (Leanna), Minocqua, and Paul (Nikki), Gile; a daughter, Christine Samardich, Gile; Everis (Toni) Engstrom; Anna Engstrom (Dale); seven grandchildren, Krystal, Nick, Jessica, Abby, Max, Lila and Kate; six great-grandchildren; a brother, George, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Donitza; and brother, Gordon Samardich, in 1996.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 21, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Don Nickolson officiating.
Committal and interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, where full military rites will be accorded by the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron County VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons to include Mark Samardich, David Samardich, Jon Samardich, Paul Samardich, Nick Samardich and Max Samardich.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
