Raymond E. Maki

BERGLAND, Mich. - Raymond E. Maki, 91, of Kingsford, formerly of Bergland, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at 10:40 p.m., surrounded by his family.

He was born on June 20, 1931, in Ishpeming, son of the late Toivo and Viola (Lakanen) Maki and attended the Ishpeming Schools.

Ray served in the U.S. Army from February 1949 until September 1952.

He married Ruth E. Mattson, daughter of the late Jalmer and Evelyn Mattson, on Sept. 26, 1953, in Republic.

He worked in the iron ore mines in Ishpeming and the uranium mines in New Mexico. He received his bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University in 1969 and worked on his master's degree. He was a teacher, principal and superintendent at the Bergland Community Schools in Bergland until its closing in 1984.

After the school closed, he became the Ontonagon County magistrate. After his retirement in 1998, he became the probation officer, all under the Honorable Judge Andres B. Tingstad Jr.

Ray was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland, where he held many offices. He was a life member of AMVETS Post 122, where he served as a commander and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4573, both of Ishpeming. He served as a post commander, treasurer and adjutant of the American Legion Desrosier Windnagle Post 562 in Bergland.

He is survived by two sons, Steven of Lima, Ohio, and Donald (Roxanne) of Kingsford; five grandchildren, Steven (Christina), Nicholas, Nancy Smith, Spencer and Robert (Rachel); 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Jane Maki of Ishpeming, and Irja Hendrickson of Republic.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, in March 2003; they were married for 49 years; a son, Brian; his daughter-in-law, Donna; three brothers Robert, LeRoy and Michael; two sisters, Lorraine and Margaret; his sisters-in-law, Melba Maki, Faye Maki and Virginia Mattson; and his brothers-in-law, Bennie Mattson, Pete Hendrickson and Robert Duncan.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. EDT, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland, with the Rev. Timothy J. Steckling officiating.

Interment will be at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Bergland, with military honors presented by the American Legion Post 562 and the Ontonagon County Veterans Association.

Pallbearers will be the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and military members.

Family visitation at the church will start one hour prior to the service. Friends may call at the church a half hour prior to the service.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Bergland.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of the Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., of Wakefield, is assisting the family.