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As received from theJacobson Funeral Home:
UPDATE: A private family burial will take place in the Nisula cemetery on Friday, May 26 at 10:30 AM. Following interment, the family wishes for friends and loved ones to join them for a luncheon and jam session at the Baraga American Legion from noon till 4 PM to celebrate Charlie and a life well lived. All of Charlie‘s musical friends are encouraged to bring along an instrument and their singing voices to celebrate Charlie and his love of music.
Charles Wayne Pietila, age 85 of Baraga, MI passed away on Tuesday, November 29th, 2022 at the Omega House in Houghton, MI.
He was born on September 11, 1937 in Hancock, MI son of Ruth Pietila. Charlie was raised by his grandmother, Ellen Pietila and his uncle and aunt Matt and Marie Pietila. He graduated from Hancock High School in 1955 and then attended Michigan Tech machine trade school. Charlie married the former Iris Tossava on October 3, 1959 at St. Henry’s church in Nisula.
Charlie worked for Makela Welding in Hancock, then went to work at Selkey Fabricators, where he worked for 47 years, retiring in 2002. Charlie would like to thank Bob Selkey for being a great instructor and employer who took great care of him and his family throughout the years.
Charlie was always tinkering in his garage and was known as the go to guy for any master fabricating. He helped build the Alston Fire Department building and was a volunteer fireman. Charlie was a member of the Northern Snow Fliers of Alston. He was an outstanding musician, playing with the Rhythm Rockers, Art Moilanen, Tommy Hiltunen, Wilbert Leppanen, Pat Niemesto, and Dave Morehouse. Charlie was an avid Detroit Lions, Red Wing, and Tigers fan.
Surviving are his children, Wanda (Glenn) Juntunen of Baraga, Thomas Pietila of Alston, Timothy Pietila of Ontonagon, Charles (Betsy Leinonen) Pietila Jr of Zeba, Jason (Christy) Pietila of San Diego, CA, a bonus daughter Laurie (Tim) Zuidmulder of Champlain Park, MN; grandchildren, ArJay (Julia) Juntunen, Dustin (Jen) Juntunen, Corey (D.J.) Pietila, Anna (Jeff) Pietila, Breana (Dominic) Cornell, Olivia Pietila, Dawson Pietila, Millie Pietila, Mark Zuidmulder, Christopher Zuidmulder, Robert Zuidmulder; six great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Ruitta of Hancock, Martha (Kenny) Sharlein of Carney, MI; half sisters, Lorraine (Paul) Tomasi, Karen Karppeinen; brother-in -law Fran (Barbara) Tossava, sister-in-laws, Phyllis (Greg) Miron, Brenda (Pat) Carroll and Fern (Tim) Michaels; special friend, companion, and caregiver Judy Beier of L’Anse; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and life long wonderful friends.
Preceding him in death are his wife Iris Pietila; mother Ruth Pietila; step father Evert Moilanen; in-laws Edwin and Violet Tossava; half brothers, Donald Karppinen, Ronald Karppinen, Paul Karppinen; special uncle Matt Pietila.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Burial will be in the Nisula Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy donations may be made to the Omega House, 2211 Maureen Ln, Houghton, MI 49931. Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Friends may sign Charlie’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.
