Roger D. Haapala, Sr.

On April 24th, 2022, Roger Dale Haapala Sr. went to be with the Lord after complications from Cardiac Bypass surgery.

He was born on June 6th, 1951, to Hulda Spargo and Uno Haapala in Wakefield Michigan. He moved around in his younger years living in Bergland, Trout Creek, and Ontonagon MI. When he was fourteen, he met the Love of his life, Cheryl Ann Turpeinen and were married on November 4th, 1968. Roger had dropped out of High School in 11th grade but later obtained his Diploma from Ontonagon Area Schools in 1982. He Later would attend Gogebic Community College to obtain a corrections degree.

He began his work life as a Butcher in the COOP Store in Bruce Crossing before getting hired by the White Pine Copper Range Company in 1972. The Mine did eventually close after several shutdowns. During these shutdowns he worked as a meat cutter at Frakis Market and had a couple other meat cutting jobs. He had a brief period of employment out West at another Copper Company before returning home to Rockland Michigan. In 2013, Roger retired from Baraga Corrections facility as a Corrections officer.  Roger and Cheryl raised four children. Roger was very active in his children’s lives coaching all his kids in Little League Baseball and was a Boy Scout leader. He spent many hours with these activities. He enjoyed spending time with his kids and would do anything to give them what they wanted and needed. He had a strict hand and when he said something the kids listened, mostly.

Roger loved spending time outdoors fishing and hunting. Going to the camp was always an enjoyable time and the buck that got away always got bigger every time he told the story. An occasional Busch Lite was also in the cards. Roger also spent many hours in the basement processing wild game and beef with Cheryl at his side. They would bicker and fight, but they were madly in love, and he would stick up for her if anybody ever tried to cross her. In retirement Mom and Dad loved hitting garage sales, occasionally going to the Casino, and always following the Grandchildren’s activities.

    Roger is survived by his wife Cheryl of 53 years, four children Roger {Vickie}, John {Mandy}, Danielle {Leon Sutherland}, and Joseph. Along with his eleven Grandchildren and one great Grandson. He is also survived by siblings Carol Johnson, Gail Luce, and Arvid {Jan}, sister-in-law Dianne Haapala. Also survived by father-in-Law John Turpeinen, sisters-in-law Sue Hebert {Steve}, Debbie Clark {Bob} and brother-in-law Buck Tarnowski, many nieces and nephews and fishing buddy Jason Kin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brothers Danny and David, and Sister Rosie. Brothers-in-Law Don Luce, John Johnson. His Mother-in-law Lois Turpeinen, and Sisters-in-Law Lori Johnson, Peggy Tarnowski and Daughter in Law Jorie Haapala.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockland on April 30th at 11am with a luncheon to follow. Private Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date.

The Cane Funeral Home of Ontonagon, MI is assisting the family.

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