DONALD E. JOUPPERI 86 of Bruce Crossing passed away Wednesday August 12, 2008 in Ontonagon.

He was born August 5th 1922 in Marquette to the late Carl and Edith (Pokela) Joupperi.

Don attended local school and graduated from Ewen High-School. Upon graduation he attended MTU and in 1943 he served his country in the U.S. Army with Co H 505th paratroopers in the Northern France Campaign. He was discharged in 1945 from Percy Jones Hospital Center with a purple heart and 2 bronze stars.

Donald married Kathryn "Cass" Bruno and returned to MTU to finish his education. He graduated with high honors. Don was employed for Caterpillar from 1953 until 1981. He invented the cat tractor 943 and the D5. Following his retirement from Caterpillar, he moved to Bruce Crossing.

Don is survived by 2 sons: Carl P (Alice K.) Maple Ridge WA, Richard (Lisa) of Bloomington IL, 1 Daughter: Mrs (Scott) Alice Machalek of Davenport Iowa, and dear friend Irene Brandt of Bruce Crossing, 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and nephews and nieces.

Don was preceded in death by his parents his wife "Cass" and a son Thomas.

Funeral services for Don will be held at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Bruce Crossing Friday at 2:00 P.M. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until the time of service. Military honors will be conducted by the Ontonagon County Veteran's Association in Hillside Cemetery Bruce Crossing. Dennis Brown of the Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family.