1921
George
2010
George L. Wiitanen
March 25, 1921 — September 6, 2010
Marquette
George L. Wiitanen, age 89, of Marquette, died late Monday evening, September 6, 2010 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. He was born in Eben Junction on March 25, 1921 to the late Alex and Mary (Makiluoma) Wiitanen. George graduated President of the Class of 1940 from Eben High School. He volunteered on September 9, 1942 for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a camera technician and was very involved with the photography and processing of films during the War. George served with the 436th Fighter Squadron and photographed the occupation of Germany. He earned the EAME Theater with one silver and one bronze battle stars, American Theater and Defense Service Ribbon, three overseas bars and one service stripe. George was involved in battles and campaigns at Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and the European Air Offensive. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1945. After his service, George married Bertha Marie Maki and they raised their three children. He attended Michigan Technological University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. George went to work for Detroit Edison (DTE Energy) and worked in various engineering positions retiring in 1985 as a supervisor of engineering in the Port Huron district. He had married Aileen Marie Lintula on December 27, 1972 and she preceded him in death on September 25, 2005. George spent twenty years of his retirement in Port Richie, Florida. He was active in the Lutheran Church in Port Huron and served on the church council and chaired some committees. George was a member of the Moose Lodge in Port Huron, Life Member of the Aripeka Florida and Ishpeming Elks Clubs, the National Society of Professional Engineers in the Bluewater Chapter where he served as the State Director and President for one year, and he also became a member of the Florida Engineering Society. George enjoyed photography, recorded and live music, dancing, nature walks, and hikes.
He is survived by three children - Karen (Phil) Lillie of Marquette, Wayne (Toom) Wiitanen of St. Charles, IL and Gary (Jacqui) Wiitanen of St. Charles, IL; step-daughter - Barbara (Paul) Chantz of Ashland, OH; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; special friend Helen Lack; and numerous dancing partners across the Upper Peninsula. George was also preceded in death by siblings Emil, Lydia, Toivo, Waino, Lillian, Walter, Ellen, and Sue.
Rev. Leslie Niemi will conduct committal prayers at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Per George's request, there will be no other services or visiting time. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of the Bowerman Funeral Home, 302 E. Superior Street, Munising, MI 49862.
George L. Wiitanen, age 89, of Marquette, died late Monday evening, September 6, 2010 at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. He was born in Eben Junction on March 25, 1921 to the late Alex and Mary (Makiluoma) Wiitanen. George graduated President of the Class of 1940 from Eben High School. He volunteered on September 9, 1942 for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a camera technician and was very involved with the photography and processing of films during the War. George served with the 436th Fighter Squadron and photographed the occupation of Germany. He earned the EAME Theater with one silver and one bronze battle stars, American Theater and Defense Service Ribbon, three overseas bars and one service stripe. George was involved in battles and campaigns at Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and the European Air Offensive. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1945. After his service, George married Bertha Marie Maki and they raised their three children. He attended Michigan Technological University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. George went to work for Detroit Edison (DTE Energy) and worked in various engineering positions retiring in 1985 as a supervisor of engineering in the Port Huron district. He had married Aileen Marie Lintula on December 27, 1972 and she preceded him in death on September 25, 2005. George spent twenty years of his retirement in Port Richie, Florida. He was active in the Lutheran Church in Port Huron and served on the church council and chaired some committees. George was a member of the Moose Lodge in Port Huron, Life Member of the Aripeka Florida and Ishpeming Elks Clubs, the National Society of Professional Engineers in the Bluewater Chapter where he served as the State Director and President for one year, and he also became a member of the Florida Engineering Society. George enjoyed photography, recorded and live music, dancing, nature walks, and hikes.
He is survived by three children - Karen (Phil) Lillie of Marquette, Wayne (Toom) Wiitanen of St. Charles, IL and Gary (Jacqui) Wiitanen of St. Charles, IL; step-daughter - Barbara (Paul) Chantz of Ashland, OH; seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; special friend Helen Lack; and numerous dancing partners across the Upper Peninsula. George was also preceded in death by siblings Emil, Lydia, Toivo, Waino, Lillian, Walter, Ellen, and Sue.
Rev. Leslie Niemi will conduct committal prayers at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Per George's request, there will be no other services or visiting time. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of the Bowerman Funeral Home, 302 E. Superior Street, Munising, MI 49862.
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