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HANCOCK – Melvyn Gerald Mikkola, 77, and former Dollar Bay resident, went home to be with the Lord on April 8, 2018. He was a resident at Houghton County Medical Care Facility for the last 11 months, as a result of an extended battle with dementia.
He was born on September 4, 1940 in Coburntown to Oliver and Gertrude (Liimatta) Mikkola. He was a 1958 graduate of Dollar Bay High School and a 1966 graduate of Michigan Technological University.
Melvyn married the former Judith Ann Zastrow in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on September 7,1963. For most of their married lives they made their home in Dollar Bay but moved to Hancock in 2007. Melvyn loved to be out of doors and was an avid boater, fisherman, and hunter.
Melvyn was a member of First Lutheran Church of Dollar Bay and the Lions Club. He was a vital part of the Dollar Bay Fire Department and an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Melvyn was a mechanical engineer for the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) until his retirement in 1993. At that time, he requalified for his passenger boat license (50 tons) and returned to his old college summer job of piloting tours on Isle Royale.
Melvyn had a special love for children which he especially displayed to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by investing time and effort to be involved in their lives.
Melvyn is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Gertrude; his brother John; an infant daughter and two nephews.
Surviving are his wife, Judith Mikkola (54 years) of Hancock. Daughters: Gay Lynn Webb of Grand Rapids, Joan (Steven) Guest presently in Grand Rapids. Grand children: Esther (Matthew) Delos Santos of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Hannah (Benjamin) Heilman of Grand Rapids, Josh Webb and Joy Webb (Andrew Pacheco) of Grand Rapids. Great Grandchildren: Eli, Paul and Elise. Siblings: Ronald (Mary Beth) Mikkola of Hancock, Carol (Charlie) Streicher of Houghton and sister-in-law Mary Lee Mikkola of Hancock along with numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Houghton County Medical Care Facility, especially second floor staff, for their wonderful care and attention and Little Brothers for their loving support.
Visitation will be from 1-3pm on Wednesday, April 18 at First Lutheran Church in Dollar Bay. The funeral will follow at 3 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Lutheran Church of Dollar Bay, Dollar Bay Fire Department, or Little Brothers.
Arrangements are being handled by Memorial Chapel and Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.memorialchapel.net.
