Martin B. Maki

Trenary

Martin B. Maki, age 87, of Trenary, died surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday afternoon, March 19, 2016 at his home in Trenary.  He was born in the sauna on February 4, 1929 in Chatham to Peter and Ada (Jokinen) Maki.  Martin attended Rock River Township School in Eben.  He enlisted into the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and served in the Second Engineer’s Special Brigade.  While in the Army, Martin earned his GED.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1948.  Martin married Ruth Ylinen on May 29, 1949.  He owned and operated a dairy farm in Chatham from 1955 until 1965.  Martin then went to work for CCI at the Mather A and B mines from 1950 until 1959.  He was employed by the Alger County Road Commission from 1962 until 1991. In 1992, Martin and Ruth traveled to Finland where they enjoyed visiting the country and meeting relatives.   Martin was a lifetime member of the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham.  He served on the Rock River Township School Board for eight years, Rock River Township Fire Department, Sion Lutheran Church Board, Chatham Co-op Board, and the Chatham Village Board.  Martin enjoyed hunting (including several successful moose hunting trips to Canada,) fishing (especially on Lake Superior,) trapping, gun collecting, playing cards, visiting with friends and family, staying involved with his grandchildren’s activities, and sharing stories with everyone he knew.

He is survived by three sons – David (Peggy) Maki of Traunik, Mark (JoAnne) Maki of Marquette, and Peter (Lori) Maki of Sundell; one daughter – Patricia (Terry “Cub”) Tyner of Limestone; three grandsons – Jason Maki of Lake Worth, FL, Dylan and Blake Tyner of Limestone; one granddaughter – Tori Tyner of Limestone; special friend for six years – Diane Maki of Munising; sisters-in-law – Evelyn Keskimaki of Gwinn and Arlene Ylinen of Ishpeming; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who live locally and in Finland.  Martin was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-eight years -  Ruth Maki on November 17, 2007; his parents Peter and Ada Maki; sister Bertha Germain; three brothers – Waino, John, and Harold “Matt” Maki; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 and on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.   Pastor Paul Kelto will conduct Martin’s memorial service on Wednesday March 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham. Interment will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham where the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors.

Memorials in Martin’s name are requested to be made to the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham, Lake Superior Hospice, or the Alger County Historical Society.