Brand Michael “Papa” Nummilien

Resided in Rock, MI
Died December 15, 2017

Brand Michael “Papa” Nummilien, age 71, passed away Friday morning, Dec. 15, 2017, at his home in Rock, surrounded by his loving family.

Brand was born on April 14, 1946 in Escanaba, MI, to parents Bruno and Helen (Kallio) Nummilien. He was a lifelong resident of Rock, MI and graduated from Rock High School in 1964. On Sept. 30, 1967, Brand was united in marriage to the former Barb Beauchamp. Brand and Barb celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 30, 2017 at camp with their family.

For 30 years, Brand worked at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base as a heavy equipment mechanic. After its closure, he became a bus driver for Mid Peninsula School. His love for kids was obvious as his family often teased Papa that he lost money driving bus from always treating his bus kids to ice cream. Brand had the biggest heart and his generosity went beyond his own family.

Brand retired in 2009, giving him more time to visit the “woods.” He enjoyed cutting, skidding, and splitting wood, often with equipment he designed and made himself.
Brand was very proud of his Finnish heritage. He enjoyed his nightly sauna and made sure to let everyone know that the sauna was hot. Some of Brand’s passions included fishing, spending time at hunting camp, and reading about historic events, like World War II. He loved gunsmithing and all his family members hunt with a gun he built. Brand also shared his fondness of antique tractors with his grandsons and loved playing cards with friends and family, as he was a fierce cribbage player. When at home, Brand could often be found shopping on Craigslist and listening to polka music on his Kindle. He was a big animal lover and always had a supply of dog treats to give.

Above all, the greatest joy in Brand’s life was spending time with his family. Spoiling his grandchildren was a sport he took first place in. He made sure to visit all his grandchildren every Christmas morning to watch them open presents and loved giving them money for any occasion. In return, Brand will always be known as “The Best Papa.” Brand also planned his family’s annual 4th of July camping trip. He cherished these trips, because the whole family was together day and night making countless of memories.

Brand is survived by his wife, Barb; his boys: Brand (Collette) Nummilien Jr. of Rock, Cori (Marie) Nummilien of Rock, and Shawn (Tracie) Nummilien of Rock; his favorite daughter, Bridget (Rodney) Trudell of Rock; his beloved grandchildren: Miranda, Melani, Kelsie, Mitchell, Kayla, Cori, Haley, Brandon, Dylan, Olivia, and Tia; his brothers: Brian (Cindy) Nummilien of McFarland, Brent Nummilien of Rock, Bruce (Mari) Nummelin of Stevens Point, WI, Benny (Terry) Nummilien of Rock; his sisters: Sandra (Dave) Beauchamp of Rock, Susie (Marvin) Connors of McFarland, and Sherri (Buddy) Koth of Rock; his brothers-in-law: Tom (Susie) Beauchamp of Rock, Tim (Carol) Beauchamp, Dan Beauchamp of Sturgeon Bay, WI, and Doug Beauchamp of Gwinn; his sisters-in-law: Donna (Dennis) Koontz of Sun City, AZ, Rebecca Smith of Jacksonville, FL, Brenda (John) Wery of Rock, and Jean (Jim) Beauchamp of Rock.

Brand was preceded in death by his parents, Bruno and Helen; in-laws, Ron and Rose Beauchamp; and brother-in-law, Roger Ledgerwood.

Visitation will be held at Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone, MI on Saturday, December 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on the same day at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins, MI at 5 p.m., with a luncheon to follow. He will be laid to rest at the Rock Cemetery in the Spring of 2018. Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Nummilien family and messages of condolence may be offered online at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com

23 Tributes for “Brand Michael “Papa” Nummilien”

    We are truly sorry for your loss. There are no words to describe when a loved one is lost. We are keeping Brand and your family in our prayers.
    Love Tom & Laurie

    We are truly sorry for your loss. Keep all your memories close to your heart. With deepest sympathy and condolences, Paul & Laurie and Steve.

    So sorry to hear of Brand’s passing. You’re in our thoughts and prayers. So glad we got to see him a couple weeks ago!! He was such a jolly fellow always a smile on his face….He’s going to be missed by so many people!!

    My heart goes out to the family. Brand was a loving and caring man, he will be missed by many…much love

    My deepest sympathy to Barb & all of the family. Talked to him in September…. at his kitchen table…. I always loved chatting with Brand…. he always had a smile on his face… or put one on mine… by the end of our conversation! Definitely will be missed by all.
    If you guys need anything don’t hesitate to let me know! – Jeannie

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and we mourn with you in the passing of your dear loved one.
    Brand was a dear soul and a good man and he will be greatly missed by many.
    May the Lord comfort you in His perfect peace and love.

    Barb and Family,
    I am so sorry for your loss. Brand had a very gentle spirit and will be missed. Holding all of you in love and prayers.

    Dear Barb and family, We are so sorry to hear about Brand. It was such a shock to us. Please accept our deepest sympathies. We thought the world of him. Prayers for comfort to you at this very sad time.

    Dear Barb and family, We were so shocked to hear about Brand. Please accept our deepest sympathies at this very sad time. We thought the world of him. Prayers of comfort for you and the family.

    Brand was the salt of the earth, give you the shirt off his back type. Always with a smile and a joke. Gonna miss seeing him drive by heading out to East Rock, usually moving pretty slow and always driving a Dodge. Plain and simple, Brand will be remembered as being a “helluva good guy” and truly missed by all who knew him.

    I didn’t know Brand or most of his family, but I did have the pleasure to meet and work with his son Cory. By reading this obituary, I can tell that the apple didn’t fall from the tree. May you all find peace and something to fill that empty spot in your heart. Sorry for your loss.

    I loved talking with Brand about my grandfather. They worked together at the air base for many years, and when Brand found out my connection, he always checked with me to see how my grandpa was doing. When he was driving bus, he would go around the school and find all of his grand kids and give each one of them a dollar. He reminded me a lot of my own dad, an all around good guy with a heart of gold. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

    We are so sorry to hear your loss. We never had the opportunity to meet Brand. We heard so many wonderful things about him and his family through Collette. We are Collette’s parents and family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

    My sympathy goes out to your family. I will always remember our time working at K. I. Sawyer and the little parties we had out there. Loved playing cards with you. RIP Brand, one day we will meet again and get in a few card games. You will surely be missed.

    Sorry to hear of Brand’s passing. I remember going out to Helen’s when we were kids. (Kathy Lee ~ Irvin and Eileen’s daughter.) Bruno always scared the crap out of me…but I knew that they were good people. My Dad and Mom loved visiting them, and I did as well. The boys (much older than I) were always up to something in the barn….
    Good people! Sorry for your loss.

    We are sorry here in Finland about Brans´s passing. Thinking about you American relatives and wishing you strenght on today, when you have the funeral.

    Thinking about you relatives today here in Finland. We are so sorry to hear about this loss, but so nice that you have a big family to go through this together.

    I hope this accpets my condolences this time (I have tried several times). Our thoughts have been with you and hope you had a service on Friday. We relatives here in Finland send our love to you.

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