Obituary: Melvin Niemi

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:

Melvin (Uppo) Niemi 89, a resident of Calumet and Lake Linden passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 29, 2021. 
He was born on December 5, 1932 in Laurium to John (Richard) and Selma (Huhta) Wiitaniemi. He attended the local schools. After school, Melvin began working in the copper mines where he learned his skills in mining, welding, and mechanics. On January 6, 1953 he was united in marriage to Beatrice Thompson-Dryer at Sacred Heart Church in Calumet.  Just three days after being married he was drafted into the United States Army where he served during the Korean War as a Guided Missile Instructor. Following his service in the Army, Melvin resumed working in the mines; Magma Copper in Arizona and White Pine Mine. During the mining strikes, he worked for the Houghton County Road Commission and Isle Royal National Park.  He also owned his own service station where he enjoyed working on cars.
Melvin loved the outdoors where he would often go hunting and fishing. In his younger years he worked as a commercial fisherman. He also was known as the family storyteller and enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He was very loved and will be greatly missed by everyone. 
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Beatrice of 64 years, his son Larry, his daughter Jeannine, his sisters Helen, Jean, Mildred, Betty, and infant sister Delores, and his brothers Kenneth, and Sam.
He is survived by: His children: Ken (Laura) Niemi of Lake Linden, Darlene Buckner of Lake Linden,  Melissa “Missy” Baillod (Anson) of Edgerton, WI
Grandchildren; Jason, Jaime, Josh, Richard, Scott, Danielle, Tonia, Melanie, Levi, Justin, Nikki, and Alex
Great Grandchildren: Caiden, Journee, Beau, McKenzie, Easton, Isaac, Isabella, Jillian, Jace, Jeremy. 
His brothers and sister, 
Norman Niemi of Kenosha, WIGerald Niemi of Calumet, Davis Niemi of Red Oak, TX, Valerie LaFond of Ishpeming
And numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday January 4, 2022 at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home with George Newman to officiate. Visitation will take place on Tuesday January 4, at 11:00 until the time of service. Spring Burial will take place in the Jacobsville Cemetery. For those unable to attend a live link will be available.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.