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As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:
John Sherwood Wakeman, of Eagle Harbor, Michigan, and Venice, Florida, died on October 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, FL, at the McGraw Hospice House with his wife, Nancy Lee, holding his hand. John was born in Lansing, MI, on May 21, 1933. He was the son of the late Lucille (Boudreau) and Max Wakeman. He was a graduate of Bishop Baraga High School in Marquette, MI, and Michigan Tech University with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He attended the American Management Association Management Course and Carnegie Mellon University Program for Executives. In 1956, he married Nancy Lee Beyers, who was a classmate of his in Marquette. They were married for 68 years.
John’s career took him and his family to many interesting places: Cuba, New Orleans, Hibbing, Minnesota, Cleveland, Ohio, and Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada. He also traveled to Brazil, Australia, Germany, China, Japan, France, England, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Alaska. John was employed by Freeport Sulfur, Moa Bay Mining Company, and M. A. Hanna. He retired after 35 years and began his own consulting company, Harbor Associates. He finally retired at age 80.
John was a member of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) and ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing Materials, where he received the first John L. Hague Award. He was also a Cub Master and served on many committees both in engineering and at home.
John loved both the home he designed and his life in Eagle Harbor, MI. As a skilled carpenter, he crafted and installed much of the wood trim and built-in furniture in the home. He loved to sit in his living room and look out at “Big Blue” and watch the ore boats pass by. He had a deep passion for sailing and found inner peace while at the helm of his dream boat, the “Lee and Me.”
John was predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Dean (Irene), his sister Judie (Jim) Emerson of Tampa, FL, and his infant daughter, Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Lee; daughter Kathryn (Duncan) Wyeth of Eagle Harbor, MI; sons Daniel (Stephanie) of Jacksonville, FL, Michael of Munising, MI, Jim of Jefferson City, MO, and Max (Julie) of Oak Park, IL; grandchildren Alexandra, Foster, Nate (Dani), Josh (Jordan), Jane Sauer, Aimee Sauer, and Carolanne; and great-grandchildren Lila Pruett, Luka Hardy, Parker Wyeth, and Riley Wyeth, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date. Contributions in his name may be sent to the Keweenaw County Historical Society at 670 Lighthouse Road, Eagle Harbor, MI 49950, or the Omega House at 2211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931. The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is in charge of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
