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As received from Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
Roy S. Wakeham, 77, a resident of Hancock passed away Saturday January 6, 2018, at the UP-Health Portage Hospital in Hancock shortly after being admitted.
He was born on August 11, 1940, in Liminga, MI, a son of the late William and Eva (Ylitalo) Wakeham. Roy was raised in Liminga, attended the Redridge Schools and graduated from Houghton High School with the class of 1958.
Mr. Wakeham was a veteran having served with the United States Army in Germany.
On October 21, 1961, he was united in marriage to the former Nelda Haataja. The couple resided in Atlantic Mine where they raised five children and were active members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Atlantic Mine. On April 7, 1998, Nelda preceded Roy in death. On August 12, 2000, he was united in marriage to Mina Grudnoski; the couple has resided in Hancock since that time.
Mr. Wakeham was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock, where he would greet all with a smile and a hug. Roy had worked for Bricklayer & Allied Craftworkers Local 33-MI until his retirement. He coached hockey and baseball while raising his children and always enjoyed visiting with his former players. He also enjoyed making bread for others and being a volunteer driver for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. Roy was very proud of his sobriety and stayed active with AA always trying to help others beat their demons. Mr. Wakeham loved to spend time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Detroit Red Wing fan and Detroit Tigers Fan traveling each spring to Lakeland, Florida to watch spring training games.
Also preceding him in death were his brothers Raymond and Alvin.
Surviving are:
His wife: Mina Grudnoski of Hancock
His children: Lori (Kevin) Geshel of Painesdale
Lois (Bob) Martonen of Kingsford
Rodney (Alexis) Wakeham of Trenton
Alan (Becky) Wakeham of Liminga
Randy (Monica) Wakeham of Keweenaw Bay
Mina’s children: Christine Schneider of Calumet
Michael (Jennifer) Grudnoski of Britton, MI
Henry (Jennifer) Grudnoski of Quinnesec, MI
His grandchildren: Wyatt, Jacob, Aliina, Eli, Ingrid, Marcella, Loretta, Emma, Nathan, Audrie, Roy, Risto, Phoenix, Griffin, Nicole, Sarah, Juliana, Jennifer, Robert, Hannah and Tony
His great-grandson: Watson
His brothers & sisters:
Floyd (Barbara) Wakeham of Liminga
Bill (Gloria) Wakeham of Liminga
Vi (Bob) Norkol of Hancock Canal
Dorothy (Peter Perala) Mattson of Dodgeville
Myrna (Jim) Gondek of Painesdale
His sister-in-law: Dorothy Wakeham of Iron River, MI
Special neighbors: Dave and Vicky Chesney
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
Funeral services for Roy will be held 11 am Thursday, January 11, 2018, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock with Rev. DJ Rasner to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Liminga Cemetery.
Friends may call on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, from 4 to 8 pm at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock and on Thursday from 10 am until time of services at the church.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be given to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association in memory of Roy Wakeham.
To view Roy’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock are assisting the family with the arrangements.
