Rudolph "Rudy" Arkelin 87, a long time resident of Ontonagon, MI passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at the Maple Manor Nursing Center.

Rudy was born in Rockland near Miswald Siding on his parent's farm on July 3, 1921, son of the late John and Wilhelmina (Koskela) Arkelin.

He was employed by the Ontonagon Paper Mill for 35 years. Prior to the mill, he worked for the Superior Dairy of Ontonagon and General Motors in Lansing. Rudy was a continuous member of the Rockland American Legion for 60 years. He also enjoyed many years as a member of the Stein Club. Rudy was a veteran of World War II, serving as a coxman in the U.S. Coast Guard.

He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and prospecting for antique bottles and copper with his wife Ruth. Rudy enjoyed watching and feeding birds. Most of all he loved making wood. At the age of 84 he was still splitting and stacking many cords of wood at his daughter's cottage.

Rudy is survived by his wife of 61 years Ruth E. (Olson) Arkelin, 3 children Sandra Arkelin of Las Vegas, NV, Claire Arkelin of Green Bay, WI and Kevin (Janet) Arkelin of Andover, MN, grandchildren Andrew and Hannah, brother Roy of White House, TX, sisters Jennie Hill of Houghton and Sylvia Swanberg of Ontonagon.

He was preceded in death by his brother Eino, sisters Lillian Harnish and Edna Eichinger and an infant son John.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 7th at 11 a.m. at the Cane Funeral Home, Pastor Howard Neider officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the start of the service. Burial will take place in the Riverside Cemetery in Ontonagon.