1941
Monte
2009
Monte D. Pokela
June 7, 1941 — December 17, 2009
Chatham
Monte D. Pokela, age 68, of Chatham, died on Thursday morning, December 17, 2009 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising where he had resided since March of 2008. Monte was born on June 7, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota to Leo and Martha (Arpiainen) Pokela, and attended Eben schools, graduating in 1959. After high school, he attended Northern Michigan University. Monte enjoyed playing sports and was recruited for the Milwaukee Braves Baseball Farm team, and in turn, proudly kept up on the athletic accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He passed his love of baseball down to the local kids by coaching baseball in Eben and Chatham, and he was an avid Detroit Lions fan. Monte was employed as a service technician for the Chatham Telephone Company for ten years.
He is survived by his three children - Steve (Denise) Pokela and Lynne (Randy) Maki all of Chatham, and Peter (Rebecca) Pokela of Green Bay; grandchildren - Tyler, Matthew, Isobel, Ryan, Lucas, Nicholas, Adrianna, Halle, and Jack; siblings - Jack Pokela of Coon Rapids, MN and Janet (John) Perrander of Jacksonville, AL; and a special cousin - Marty Pokela of Traunik. Monte is also survived by aunts, an uncle, nephews, nieces, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Millard, and sister Phyllis.
The family wishes to thank all those who have cared for Monte these past many years, with special thanks to the medical and nursing staff at Tendercare and to Kathy and Rob Conklin of the Marigold AFC Home in Palmer. Special mention to the Eben Class of '59 for gathering at Tendercare to celebrate their 50th class reunion with Monte in August.
Private family services will be held and interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.
Monte D. Pokela, age 68, of Chatham, died on Thursday morning, December 17, 2009 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising where he had resided since March of 2008. Monte was born on June 7, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota to Leo and Martha (Arpiainen) Pokela, and attended Eben schools, graduating in 1959. After high school, he attended Northern Michigan University. Monte enjoyed playing sports and was recruited for the Milwaukee Braves Baseball Farm team, and in turn, proudly kept up on the athletic accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He passed his love of baseball down to the local kids by coaching baseball in Eben and Chatham, and he was an avid Detroit Lions fan. Monte was employed as a service technician for the Chatham Telephone Company for ten years.
He is survived by his three children - Steve (Denise) Pokela and Lynne (Randy) Maki all of Chatham, and Peter (Rebecca) Pokela of Green Bay; grandchildren - Tyler, Matthew, Isobel, Ryan, Lucas, Nicholas, Adrianna, Halle, and Jack; siblings - Jack Pokela of Coon Rapids, MN and Janet (John) Perrander of Jacksonville, AL; and a special cousin - Marty Pokela of Traunik. Monte is also survived by aunts, an uncle, nephews, nieces, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Millard, and sister Phyllis.
The family wishes to thank all those who have cared for Monte these past many years, with special thanks to the medical and nursing staff at Tendercare and to Kathy and Rob Conklin of the Marigold AFC Home in Palmer. Special mention to the Eben Class of '59 for gathering at Tendercare to celebrate their 50th class reunion with Monte in August.
Private family services will be held and interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham.
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