Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
KOKOMO, Ind. - Willard Mathew Puranen, 80, Kokomo, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018.
Willard was born Aug. 29, 1938, in Ironwood, Mich., to the late Edward and Ingrid Puranen. Will married Susan (Rytman) Puranen Aug. 18, 1962, in Cudahy, Wis. She survives him.
Will graduated from Ironwood High School with the class of 1957. Following graduation, he enlisted into the Navy and was discharged in 1963, after six years of service. Will earned an Associate of Science from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Art in Business from Indiana University. He started with AC Delco Electronics in Milwaukee as electronic technician, where he worked on the Apollo Moon Mission.
In 1973, he transferred to Kokomo as an engineering manager, retiring after 37 years. Will enjoyed golfing with the Delco golf league and watching the Green Bay Packers. He was active in volunteering for the Howard County EMA and was a member and past president of the Kokomo Amateur Radio Operators Club. He was also president and volunteer for Haworth and Kokomo Band Boosters and volunteered for the American Red Cross.
Surviving Will is his wife; daughters, Carrie Janes (Greg), Colleen Drake (David), son Christopher Puranen (Laura); sisters, Delores Barross and Patricia Wickline (Marvin); grandchildren, Alyson Carozza (Daniel), Lesley Janes, Andrew, Lucile and Olivia Puranen, Travis and Taylor Drake; and several nieces and nephews.
Those who have preceded Will in death are his parents and brother, Brian Puranen.
A celebration of Will's life will take place Friday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. at Ellers Mortuary Webster Chapel with Rev. Michael Bristol officiating. The family offers visiting hours Thursday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will take place at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Cudahy, Wis.
If you wish to leave a donation in Will's honor, please do so to the American Red Cross, Howard County EMA or the Kokomo Amateur Radio Club.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Puranen family.
