Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Robert C. Symons Sr., 87, of Bessemer, passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at Gogebic Medical Center in Wakefield.
He was born Oct. 12, 1929, in Ironwood, the son of the late Philip and Kate (Nichols) Symons.
Robert attended Luther L. Wright High School, graduating with the Class of 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from Oct. 8, 1948, to Oct. 7, 1949, with the Company A, 15th Infantry Regiment. On May 24, 1952, he married Lois M. Ellis at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood. Robert worked for over 30 years as a machinist at the White Pine Mines. He also owned and operated his own repair shop known as "Symons Machine Shop" in Bessemer for many years. He loved to "tinker" in his shop and manufactured his own wood processor. In his younger years, he was a coach for the Bessemer Little League. Robert was a proud supporter of the Green Bay Packers.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lois; two sons, Robert (Wendy) Symons Jr. of Bessemer, and John (Yvonne) Symons of Richfield, Minn .; his daughter, Nancy Blodgett of Superior, Wis .; his grandchildren, Kayla, Kyle and Joseph Blodgett, Lonnie (Dawn) and Douglas Niemi, Dana (Kevin) Rodriguez, and Ian, Nicole and Courtney Symons; many great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Niemi; five sisters, June Symons, Betty Pollari, Doris Wertanen, Beverly Schirmacher and Darla Lazowski; and his brother, Philip Symons.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home in Bessemer. Pastor Jean Rencontre will officiate. Robert's family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Full Military Rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 27 and VFW Post 3673 combined Honor Guard of Bessemer.
Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences, visit rangefuneralservices.com.
