Edward Robert St.Amour

Wetmore
Edward Robert "Hoot" St. Amour, age 85, of Powell Lake, died Saturday, May 4, 2013 surrounded by his loving family in the home where he and Peggy raised their family. He was born on August 29, 1927 in Munising, Michigan to the late Henry and Laura St. Amour. When Hoot was sixteen he began working at the Candy Kitchen and then delivered bread before working as a truck driver at the Alger County Garage. He entered the U.S. Army in December of 1945 and continued driving truck for the Army. Hoot was honorably discharged in March of 1947. He married Peggy Chase on July 9, 1949, and together they raised their seven children. Hoot started his employment with the Munising Paper Company in 1947 as the #8 Coater Operator. He worked various operator jobs, and retired in 1988 from Kimberly Clark as the #17 Coater Operator. Hoot was on the 4th of July fireworks crew for many years. Hoot snowmobiled in the 60's and far into his retirement years. He was an avid bowler and participated in the Petersen Classic for many years. Hoot was a member of the Jewell Street Tigers Horseshoe team during their ten year championship run. He traveled to South Dakota by train to pheasant hunt with friends. He enjoyed going to deer camp and was always known as the camp cook. Hoot was versatile in carpentry, creating the Lion's Club's 4th of July Mouse Game, building his home on Powell Lake, working on the Kids Connection Playground, and helping with many others projects. He enjoyed his time in the summer at his family's camp on Miners Beach, and then later Powell Lake was a focal point for Hoot, entertaining many friends and family with his boil parties and his slow cruises around the lake on his pontoon boat. He also enjoyed his winter trips to Texas and Florida. Hoot was a devout member of Sacred Heart Church.
He is survived by his seven children - Kathy (Ted) Covey of Adrian, Michigan, Robert (Deedee) of Munising, John (Brenda) of Munising, Jim (Carol) of Munising, Carol (Keith) Santti of Crystal River, Florida, Judy St. Amour (Abe Moore) of Wausaukee, Wisconsin, and Gary (Theresa) of Munising; 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren; sisters - Irene Mully and Agnes St. Amour; sisters-in-law - Muriel "Murph" (Wally) Wallenstien, Nancy Murray, and Eileen St. Amour; and numerous nieces and nephews. Hoot was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years Peggy when she died on May 7, 2010; parents - Henry and Laura; siblings - Laura (Ed) Keusch, Vange (Jim) Fromm, Floyd (Ethel) St. Amour, and Hank St. Amour; and in-laws - Chuck Mully, Lois (Bill) Ryan, and Kate (Clyde) Matheny.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at the Bowerman Funeral Home from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a Parish Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Fr. Chris Gardiner will celebrate Hoot's Funeral Mass on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Hoot will be escorted by his grandsons Ted and Keith Covey, Glen, Shawn, Mike, Rick, and Brad St. Amour, Robert and Joseph Santti. His committal service will be on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at the Maple Grove Cemetery where the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guards will conduct military honors.