Albert J. Tapio

Chassell

Albert J. Tapio, 94, a former resident of Chassell, passed away Saturday evening September 2, 2017, at the Hampton’s Senior Community in Vancouver, WA, where he had been a resident for the past two years.

He was born on October 29, 1922, in Chassell, a son of the late John A. and Hilda A. (Puuri) Tapio.  He was raised in Klingville and attended the Klingville Schools and was a 1941 graduate of Chassell High School, which was one of the largest graduating classes.  He then worked for various farms in the area.

He then moved to the Detroit area where he worked for Ford Motor Company. He returned to the Chassell area and began working for Herman Gundlach Construction in 1950, and retiring in 1984 as a crane operator.

On May 6, 1950, he was united in marriage to the former Elfie C. Juntikka.  The couple resided in Houghton and Chassell.  They had owned and operated their own berry farm for many years.  On May 5, 2007, Elfie had preceded Albert in death.

Mr. Tapio was a lifelong member of the Chassell Apostolic Lutheran Church and had a deep faith that was always a very important part of his life.  He was an avid gardener, specializing in raspberries and blueberries.  He also enjoyed being outdoors fishing, hunting and making maple syrup.

Preceding him death were his wife, his parents, his brothers, Paul and Edwin and his sisters; Mildred Tikkanen, Helen Juntunen, Alice Kerr and Verna Storm.

Surviving are:

His children: Christine (Bruce) Sarkela of Battleground, WA

John Tapio of Brush Prairie, WA

Carol (Tim) Karlsen of Brush Prairie, WA

Caren (David) Somero of Houghton Canal

James Tapio of Vancouver, WA

Jay (Marcella) Tapio of Brush Prairie, WA

Peter (Sara) Tapio of Brush Prairie, WA

25 grandchildren and 57 great grandchildren with 3 more to join the family in the coming months.

His brothers and sisters:

Lillian Heikkinen of Livonia, MI

Alden (June) Tapio of Cape Coral, FL

Ruth (Elmer) Liimatta of Chassell

Roy (Shirley) Tapio of Ironwood, MI

Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins

Funeral services for Albert will be held 1pm Wednesday September 13, 2017, at the Zion Lutheran Church of Hancock with Donald Holombo and Herbert Jarvi to officiate.  Burial will be in the Chassell Cemetery.

Friends may call on Wednesday September 13, 2017, from 11 am until time of services at the Zion Lutheran Church of Hancock.

To view Albert’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Chassell have been assisting the family with the arrangements