Gerald 'Jerry' Rooni Published Wednesday, January 4, 2006 11:49:02 AM Central Time Ironwood Daily Globe IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Gerald "Jerry" Rooni, 70, of Sandene Road in Ironwood Township, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, in Ironwood. He was born Feb. 11, 1935 in north Bessemer, son of the late Waino and Ethel (Lahti) Rooni. Jerry attended Roosevelt School and Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. He was employed at a local concrete company and for various logging companies. From Sept. 16, 1954, until Aug. 24, 1956, he served in the U.S. Army. After, he worked at the Penokee Mine until 1961. He then owned and operated Gerald Rooni Logging and Bulldozing until retiring in 1992. Jerry enjoyed fishing on the "Widow-maker," which he docked at Black River Harbor. He also enjoyed hunting, ham radio and playing blackjack at the casino. On June 15, 1957, he married the former Kathleen DeFerro in Pine City, Minn. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Michael, Bessemer, and Mitchell, Iron River, Wis.; a daughter, Marcy (Robert) Koivisto, Bessemer; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Troy, Jacob, Natalie, Peter, Catherine and Marissa; his mother-in-law, Enrica DeFerro, Hurley, Wis.; an aunt, Elma Hyvonen and family; an uncle, John Lahti and family; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Dennis and Mary Ann Blomberg, Hurley, and John and Gail DeFerro, Hurley; and a very dear friend, Mary Cline. Our time to say goodbye had come Though we wanted you to stay Your struggles here on Earth are done Such strength you showed that day Memories are what we now will share And those we have are many It eases us to know you're in God's care We know he doesn't take just any Toss a ball for Rascal Dad and Thank you for the SISU We love you! Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael William, in infancy. A graveside service will be held at Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township, in the spring of 2006, with Pastor Steve Hyvonen officiating. Range Funeral Service Inc., Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer, is in charge of arrangements. |