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UPDATE: A Memorial Service for Glenn Pyhtila, 90, a resident of Hancock, who passed away on September 4, 2025, will be held 1 pm on Monday, February 16, 2026, at The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock with Rev. Brahm Semmler Smith to officiate. Visitation will take place from 12 pm until the time of the services at the Funeral Home.
Glenn Pyhtila, 90, a resident of Hancock and long-time Houghton resident, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, where he had been a patient for the past two months.
He was born on August 11, 1935, in Hancock, a son fo the late Henry and Hulda Jemina (Jarvela) Pyhtila. Glenn was raised in Detroit, Winona and Hancock. and was a graduate of Hancock High School with the class of 1953.
He then moved to the Detroit area for a short time before becoming a veteran, having served with the United States Army. During that time while being stationed at Ft. Richardson in Alaska, he played for the Ft. Richardson Pioneers Hockey team, which won the US Army Championship.
Following his time in the service, Glenn attended Suomi College before receiving a Business Administration Degree from Michigan Technological University.
On January 12, 1957, he was united in marriage to the former Shirley Kemila. The couple had resided in Ohio and Illinois while Glenn worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. The couple then moved to Houghton in 1965, when Glenn became the first male hired at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hancock, where he was the assistant business administrator. He was then appointed to the position of Houghton County Controller, from which he retired in 1995.
Glenn was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock, he enjoyed spending time coaching hockey over the years and was very proud to have coached the Laurn Grove Hockey team, before helping coach all ages with the Copper County Junior Hockey Association. He was a member of the Ottawa Sportsmen’s club and enjoyed spending time at the family camp in Alston. Glenn was a devoted fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Lions.
Preceding him in death were his son Michael, his sisters Edna Saari and Edel Kuoppala; his brother Eugene Pyhtila along with his parents.
Surviving are:
His wife: Shirley Pyhtila of Hancock; His sons: Eric (Jean) Pyhtila of Hancock Township, Alan Pyhtila of Northville, MI, & Chris (Dr. Jessica, PharmD) Pyhtila of Sterling, VA; His daughter-in-law: Cindy Pyhtila of Hancock; His grandchildren: Andrew, Elizabeth, Joseph, Marie, Tina, and Tristan; His great-grandchildren: Niklas, Luukas, Adele, Sophie and Noah.
A memorial service for Glenn will be held at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel at a later date. Burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery of Hancock.
To view Glenn’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.Memorialchapel.net
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