Arthur Halford Sopko

BESSEMER, Mich. - Arthur Halford Sopko, 87, passed away on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020.

Born in Chicago, on Dec. 13, 1932, at the Lakeside Clinic and Post Graduate Hospital, Arthur was the loving son of John and Helmi Sopko of Ironwood, Michigan.

His parents were the owners of Sopko's Meat and Groceries Red and White at 129 W. Aurora St., in Ironwood.

Arthur attended Central Grade School, St. Ambrose Catholic School and Luther L. Wright High School, graduating high school in 1951.

He entered the U.S. Navy in 1952, serving in the Korean War on the USS Castor, the Aludra and the Proton LST. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Arthur married Patricia O'Leary of Hurley, Wisconsin, and they lived together in California where they raised their sons, John A. Sopko and David J. Sopko. The family enjoyed seasonal vacations to the Upper Peninsula.

Arthur worked for his sister Virginia's husband at Frisco Baking Company in Los Angeles for 37 years, before retiring to Michigan. His favorite hobby was woodworking.

He married Janice Price and they lived happily until her passing in 2015.

Arthur resided in Ironwood in 1995, before moving to Bessemer in 1996.

His sons would like to thank Arthur's supportive friends, neighbors and businesses in the U.P. community throughout the years. Also, thank you to Palliative Care, Aspirus and the Gogebic Medical Care Facility for their outstanding care.

Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc.