Michael Clement 'Mike' Mesich

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Michael Clement "Mike" Mesich, 94, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in his daughter and son-in-law's home in Montreal, Wisconsin.

Mike was born on Sept. 29, 1928, in Ironwood, a son of John Carl and Anna Mary (Yelich) Mesich. Mike attended Newport grade school and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1947.

After graduation, he went to Milwaukee and worked for Nash-Kelvinator Corporation until 1950, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He served in Thule, Greenland, and the Occupation Forces of Germany.

Returning from the service, he went back to Nash-Kelvinator and worked part-time for his brother, John, in his cocktail establishments.

While in Milwaukee, he met his future wife, Marie Joyce "Ann" Ungerer. On July 11, 1953, they were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, by the Rev. Monsignor Schmidt. Mike and Ann returned to Ironwood in 1953 after the passing of his father. He worked for Pickands Mather, Newport Mine and then transferred to the taconite mine in Erie, Minnesota. Lastly, he worked at White Pine Copper Mine as a foreman until his mining accident on March 17, 1988.

Mike was a faithful member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He was a member of the American Legion and the Slovene National Society Lodge.

Mike was a very social person. He enjoyed talking with people and attending community events. He loved attending the local high school football and basketball games along with Gogebic Community College games. He enjoyed following his grandchildren's sporting events and attended many games with Kathy and John. He loved football and was a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers. He watched all the Milwaukee Brewer and Detroit Tiger games with his wife and later daughter. He also enjoyed gambling at the local casinos.

Mike was a great bartender. He worked for 28 years at the Sky Lawn Supper Club, and part-time for The St. James Hotel, Connie's Supper Club, and for one-and-a-half years, he managed the bar at the Towne House Motor Inn. He prided himself when making Old Fashioned drinks at family gatherings. Seeing his family and spending time with them was his favorite thing.

Mike is survived by two sons, John (Wendy), Ironwood, and Michael (Gina), Fremont, Wisconsin; three daughters, Judith Murray, Traverse City, Joan Roberts, Plymouth, Minnesota, and Kathy (Joe) Saari, Montreal; 10 cherished grandchildren, Melissa Mesich, Michael (Mel) Mesich, Nicole (Ben) Martinsen, John (Lindsay) Mesich, Lauren Roberts, Jonathan, Jesse and Laura Murray, Mark (fiancée, Morgan) Saari and Jacob Saari; seven precious great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Elaine Ungerer and Jackie (Mark) Alberg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Ann, on July 21, 2022; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tony and Gertrude Ungerer; a brother, John (Lois "Honey"); three sisters, Mary (Milo) Rajkovich, Rose (Clem) Kolesar and Ann (John) Shea; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lorraine (Jim) McPherson, Columbia Rose Brunner, Majorie (James) Keen, Antoniette (Jerry) Capelli, Sally (Charlie) Brauer and Arthur Ungerer; two nephews, Mike "Zip" Shea and Roger Capelli; and a niece, Paulette Kroll.

The family would like to thank the Regional Hospice staff for caring for Mike during his illness with cancer and the Iron County Aging Unit with helping our parents for years with senior meals. A special thank you to Kathy Laurin Longhini and Nancy Grossklaus for their kindness and care to our father for the last eight months.

A visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. The day and time will be announced later.

In lieu of flowers or for those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Iron County Aging Unit, 300 Taconite St., Suite 201, Hurley, WI 54534; or HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood, MI 49938.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.