Merlin Niemi

Merlin Niemi 89, formerly of Ewen, passed away on September 26, 2015 in Escanaba where he had lived since 2012.

Merlin was born April 20, 1926 to the late Rayno and Laila (Rajala) Niemi. He graduated from Ewen High school in 1945, and served in the US Army from 1945 to 1947. He married Angela King on Oct 2, 1948 in the Sacred Heart Church of Ewen. Together they raised 5 children on their family farm on Fair Oaks Road in Ewen.

In 1957 Merlin was employed as an electrician for the White Pine Copper Company until he retired in 1985. Merlin was an active member of the Sacred Heart Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. As a WW2 Veteran he was an active member of the American Legion Post 41 and marched with the honor guard until he was 85 years of age. Merlin loved the outdoors and spent many happy hours walking his land. He enjoyed hunting and especially the hunting camp he built with his son Chris. He was an avid wood carver and made many original carvings, mostly religious, for his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Angela (King) Niemi and his five children: June (Greg) Hamilton of Farmington NM, Paulette (Jim) Groos of Escanaba MI, Chris (Leianne) Niemi of Ironwood MI, Marlene (Tim) Maki of Union WA, and Marilou (Dan) Cazzola of Iron Mountain MI; 11 grandchildren: Aaron and Morgan (Boyle) Maki, Cory Niemi, Jamie (Momber) and Cara (Nettle) Groos, Gina (MacLure) and Paul Hamilton, Jordan, Bridgette, Alex and Olivia Cazzola; 6 great-grandchildren; a brother Gladen Niemi; and a sister Jean O’Reilly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 5, 2015 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Church in Ewen with Rev. Francis G. Dobrzenski officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and continue until the Mass. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ewen. The Cane Funeral Home – Bruce Crossing Chapel is assisting the family.

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