Leonard C. 'Sonny' Perttula

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Leonard C. "Sonny" Perttula, 84, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, Aug. 15, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

Leonard was born on April 24, 1934, in Bessemer, a son of Leonard Nelo and Annette Selma (Johnson) Perttula. He spent his early years on the family farm north of Bessemer. Leonard graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood and attended Michigan State University for one year, studying business agriculture.

Leonard proudly served his country in the U.S. Army on the rifle team for two years. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on Jan. 13, 1959, and received both the Marksmanship Badge Expert Carbine and Good Conduct Medal.

On July 11, 1959, Leonard was united in marriage to the love of his life, Margaret Ella Tiebel, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood. They were blessed with three sons.

Leonard worked at Peterson Mine for six years until its closure, at American Motors in Kenosha, Wis., for one year and then at White Pine Copper Company for five years. He concluded his working career as a self-employed logger and at one time had 10 men working for him.

Leonard was very proud of his Finnish heritage and continued the family tradition of taking saunas while having many good discussions.

Sonny was an avid hunter and fisherman and taught his sons and grandsons how to hunt and fish. He spent many happy hours fishing on the Big Carp River and Lake Superior with his family.

Leonard always wanted to give back to his community. He was a member of the Wakefield School Board in the late 1980s and supported and encouraged the 4-H program in the area for more than 30 years.

Leonard is survived by his three sons, Bruce (Dawn), Wakefield, Brian (Judy), Crystal, Minn., and Byron (Sara), Wakefield; five cherished grandchildren, Alicia, Carl "C.J." (Amanda), Nathan, Kevin and Tia; four dear great-grandchildren, Mavis, Jacob, Marley and Luca; his brother-in-law, William "Bill" Tiebel, Wakefield; and two special nieces, Heather Perttula, Glidden, Wis., and Jessica (Chris) Morgan, of Arizona.

He was predeceased by his parents; his loving wife, Margaret, on April 30, 2013; a brother, Glen, on Feb. 12, 2014; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Amelia Tiebel; and two sisters-in-law, Rose Tiebel and Sonya Rancel.

A graveside service will be held Monday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m., at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.

The Rev. Kay Richter, pastor of the New Evangelical Lutheran Parish, will officiate.

Full military rites will take place at the cemetery under the auspices of Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.

Luncheon will be served at Eddy Park on beautiful Sunday Lake, at the John Siira (new) Pavilion, following the cemetery service.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the caring staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield, who provided many kindnesses to Leonard and his family.

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.