Carl J. Salminen, age 79, of 8140 Zero Pt. 85 Road, Gladstone, died at home, Sunday December 5, 2004, following a lengthy battle with leukemia.
Carl was born August 9, 1925, in Ishpeming, MI, the son of Kalle and Hilda (Huttula) Salminen. Carl was raised in the Rock area and attended the Rock Schools. Following his years in school and in 1943, Carl joined the United States Army where he served during WWII in the 82nd Airborne Division in the European Theater Operations. In 1946, Carl was honorably discharged from the United States Army and returned back to the Delta County area. On August, 16, 1947, Carl married the former Zerilda Kivekas in Perkins, MI. Together the couple raised their children and made their home in the Gladstone area. Carl worked for Olson Transportation out of Marquette, MI as a truck driver and then went on to work for Clairmont Transfer out of Escanaba until his retirement in 1985 at the age of 60. Carl was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, he belonged to the Rock American Legion and he was also a member of the Escanaba VFW for many years. Carl enjoyed arts and crafts and put on craft shows for the past 20 years. He also enjoyed woodworking.
Survivors include: His loving wife Zerilda
1 Son: Doug Salminen of Gladstone, MI
1 Daughter: Penny (Dan) Furniss of Lansing, MI
1 Sister: Helen Ruth Seppala of Gladstone, MI
1 Brother in Law: Marvin (Betty) Kivekas of Rock, MI
3 Grandchildren: Traci (Jeff) Jones of Lansing, MI; Tanya (Hunter) Mahood of Gladstone, MI; Tara (Steve) Albrecht of Livonia, MI
3 Great Grandchildren: Jorden and Jacob Jones of Lansing, MI; Kaylee Mahood of Gladstone, MI
Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Kalle and Hilda, Carl was preceded in death by his infant brother.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites will be conducted by the Delta County Veterans Council on Wednesday, at 7:45PM, at the Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating the life of Carl J. Salminen will be on Thursday at 11:00AM, at the Skradski Funeral Home, with Pastor Jonathan Schmidt from the First Lutheran Church of Gladstone officiating. Luncheon will be in the First Lutheran Church fellowship hall. Burial will take place at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. Memorial contributions may be directed to the OSF Bay de Noc Hospice or to the Lymphatic Leukemia Association. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski Funeral home in Gladstone. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Salminen Family with all arrangements.