Reuben M. Kinnunen Published Monday, June 27, 2005 11:31:38 AM Central Time Ironwood Daily globe IRONWOOD -- Reuben M. Kinnunen, 88, of E4717 Airport Road, Ironwood, went home to be with the Lord, with his loving family at his side, on Saturday, June 25, 2005, in Ironwood. He was born on Aug. 15,1916, in Ironwood, son of the late Henry and Johannah (Mesimaki) Kinnunen, and was a longtime Ironwood Township resident. Reuben was employed on the Alcan Highway in Alaska from 1942 to 1943. He then worked as a logger, farmer and miner. He was employed as an auto mechanic for Heideman Co., Frank Miles and Son Ford Tractor. From the mid-1950s, he was a self-employed auto mechanic, retiring in 1999. In 2004, he helped his son-in-law, John Jennings, reopen Kinnunen's Garage. On Oct. 18,1938, he was united in marriage to Martha Reini of Ironwood Township. She preceded him in death on March 11, 1997. Reuben was a lifelong member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ironwood, a man of great faith who deeply loved his Lord. Reuben's father said that Reuben should have been born triplets, because he was such a good son and help to his parents. He is survived by four sons, William R. (Helen), Esko, Minn., Larry M. (Maria), Ironwood Township, Walter H. (Mary), Greer, S.C., and Dennis R. (Judy), Brush Prairie, Wash.; six daughters, Irene (William) Suvanto, Ironwood Township, Mamie (Eugene) Johnson, Ironwood, Carol (Dan) Waurio, Ironwood Township, Marlene (Marcus) Aili, Esko, Bonnie (John) Stalberger, Camas, Wash., Judi (John) Jennings, Ironwood Township; 41 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; one brother, Waino, of Florida; three sisters, Saima Peterson, Hancock, Martha Niematalo, Greer, and Marie Rouse, Ironwood Township. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Dale, as an infant; three brothers, Eino, Arnie and Edwin; and two sisters, Helen Levijoki and Ruth Erickson. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 29, at 1:30 p.m., at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Bruce Estola officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday evening, June 28, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday, from 12:30 until service time. Burial will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township. Pallbearers will be Reuben's four sons; honorary pallbearers will be Reuben's six sons-in-law. Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Ironwood. Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service Inc., Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood. |