William A. Suvanto

IRONWOOD, Mich. - William "Bill" Suvanto, 80, a resident of Ironwood Township, entered into eternal life on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wisconsin after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

William was born on June 10, 1940, in Ironwood Township the youngest of 12 children to Arvo and Emma (Hendrickson) Suvanto. He attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1958.

On Jan. 2, 1960, he was united in marriage to Irene Kinnunen at the Ironwood Apostolic Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member.

William is survived by his beloved wife, Irene; nine children, Kathy (Mark) Pusakulich, Ironwood, Debra (Richard) Nicola, Estelline, South Dakota, Steven Sr. (Mary) Suvanto, Yorba Linda, California, Sheri (Keith) Aho, Ironwood, Patti (Christopher) Danielson, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Wendy (Gregory Jr.) Schiek, Abrams, Wisconsin, Scott Suvanto, Ironwood, Mark (Anna) Suvanto, Bessemer, and Jodi Borga, Lynchburg, Virginia; 15 grandchildren, Tiah Pusakulich, Ashley Nicola, Steven Jr. and Ryan Suvanto, Joshua, Jeremy and Jason Blodgett, Sarah Danielson, Gregory III and Isabella Schiek, Paige Suvanto, Tori Suvanto, Hannah Borga, Tyson McCallister and Rylee James; five great-grandchildren, Lilah and Noah Suvanto, Jace and Julian Blodgett, and William Blodgett; two step-grandchildren, Vivian and Veronica Pavlovich; a sister, Elma Bertram; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, John, Signe, Senia, Waino, Carl, Aune, and four siblings prior to his birth, Impi, Wilho, Mayme, one stillborn; and his son-in-law, Ronald Borga.

Following graduation he moved to Chicago where he attended mechanics school and was employed by Webcor Inc. He was then employed at Arthur Wagner Company as a supervisor. He also worked for Kraft Foods until 1962. His work ethics were outstanding as he often said, "work first and play second." He moved back to Ironwood in February 1963 and was employed by United Parcel Service from 1964 to his retirement in 1999. He was a parcel delivery driver and Union Steward.

William enjoyed his hobby farm including making hay, gardening and cutting wood. He loved fast cars with loud mufflers, Ford cars, trucks and tractors and was fond of Elvis Presley music. He was a caring, loving and compassionate person always caring for others before himself. He loved his family and most importantly his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To a beloved husband and Dad, "Bye-for-now," you are safe in the arms of Jesus.

A note of thanks from William's family to the care team at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center for taking such great care of him.

Due to COVID-19, a celebration of William's life will take place in the spring of 2021. Services will be held at the Apostolic Lutheran Church, 326 W. Aurora St., in Ironwood with the Revs. Alan Estola, Bruce Estola and Gary Bertram officiating.

A committal service and interment will take place at Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Memorials may be directed to The Parkinson's Foundation at parkinson.org.

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.