Kenneth (Ken) Heino Jussila, 85 of Escanaba passed away at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 following years of ongoing health issues.
Ken was born October 11, 1938 in McMillan Township, MI and raised in Ironwood. He was the oldest of four children born to Heino and Donna (Cobb) Jussila. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1958.
Ken married Debra (Debbie) Moran on October 16, 1976 and together shared many wonderful life events as well as his health struggles with a love cherished by both.
In his early years Ken worked for Tuff Kote which enabled him to live in Pennsylvania and together with Debbie, in Sterling Heights, MI and Elkhart, IN. Upon returning to Escanaba he held many positions in radio, co-managed Advanced T.V. & Appliance, and was a salesman at Delta Do It. He then retired from being a driver for D.A.T.A. Bus Company, “the best job he ever had”
Ken enjoyed serving on various boards in the community. Church boards for the Evangelical Covenant Church (Escanaba and Gladstone), Delta County Airport & Parks Board, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Delta County and City of Escanaba Planning Commission.
He was an avid fisherman with his best friends Jim Cook and Bill Pearl. In retirement he became hooked on golf and loved to play a round a day until health issues would no longer allow him to enjoy the game. He was short on patience for kids and large crowds but loved one-on-one and small group conversation. He was an avid news watcher because he felt “you gotta know what is going on in the world.” He cherished the close friendships he found with his daily time at Anytime Fitness. He missed this the most as his health deteriorated.
Ken is survived by his wife Debbie, his daughters from his first marriage; Holly Jussila of Gladstone, and Penny Jussila of Escanaba. Grandchildren, Robert (Crystal Martin) McCarty, Rick (Nycole Mercier) McCarty, Dennis Reese, Angela (Lee) Duroy, Cory (Heather Calouette) Ross. Great-grandchildren, Levi, Dylan, Kadyn, Kaleb, Zander and Jase McCarty, Mia, Lucas and Lydia Duroy, and Henry and William Ross. Brother-in-law, Dave Moran.
Sister-in-law; Diane (Kevin) Graham. Special friend- Dan O’Dell who offered a daily dose of encouragement, conversation and humor that was a bright spot in his long day of inactivity. Also, several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Darlene Brusorio and brothers Duane and David (Sandy) Jussila and his special friends Jim Cook and Bill Pearl.
Ken had a deep love of the Lord and drew strength in his daily bible reading and prayer. One of his favorite verses in which he drew strength was:
Isaiah 12:2-3
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the well of salvation.
A celebration of life will be held at the Gladstone Covenant Church; 305 South 9th Street Gladstone on: Monday April 15th from 3-5pm. Memorial service to follow at 5:00 with a catered luncheon to follow. Services will be officiated by Pastor Aaron Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gladstone Covenant Church, Delta County Cancer Alliance, and Delta Animal Shelter.
The family would like to offer a sincere thanks to OSF Health Care, Dr. Stephen Smith, OSF Hospital, UPHS Dr. Pesola, Dr. Napier, Fresenius Kidney Care Center, OSF Home Health (especially Brittany Kipp, Angie Odell and Jennifer Carter). The excellent care and support provided by everyone allowed Ken to remain at home surrounded by those he loved most.
The Jussila family is being assisted by the Skradski Family Funeral Home.
Traci Denome - Escanaba, MI
Debbie, so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. I always enjoyed our little talk sessions. Sending you thoughts and prayers.
Gary Lehman - Escanaba, MI
My condolences to Ken’s entire family. May he Rest in Peace!
Mary Harrington - Escanaba, MI
So very sorry for your loss ❤️
Peter Brock - Zephyrhills , FL
Debbie, my sincere condolences to you and Ken’s family. I so enjoyed the talks that Ken and I would have at various church functions. He truly was a “man of God”. My you rest in peace knowing that he is home with his Lord and Savior.
Ernie & Paula Gustafson - Escanaba, MI
Ken was a great neighbor and friend.
You are in our thoughts and prayers, Debbie.
John Pickard - Gladstone , Mi
Ken was my Radio station manager when I first started out in Radio! Great guy and always very supportive! Great sense of humor as well! R.I.P. my friend!
Robert Blalock and family - Escanaba, Mi
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ann Streichert - Escanaba, MI
Dear, Debbie and family
My deepest sympathy for the loss of Ken. He was always a nice man, no matter where we seen him. May his memories he left behind bring you all, lots of joy and smiles in the coming weeks ahead. Blessings
David Nelson - MI, Wells, mi
Our condolences to Debbie and her family.
J. Michael DeAgostino - Traverse City, MI
Dear Debbie and Family. So sorry for your loss. Ken was a good man. I remember his great sense of humor. He taught me many lessons when he was my boss. May he rest in peace in the loving arms of The Almighty.
Carol Smaron - Perronville, Mi
My condolences to Ken’s family and those who knew and loved him. Ken was a kind compassionate man and wise
I and others enjoyed talking as we peddled the bikes at Anytime Fitness Ken will be missed
Craig - Gladstone, MI
K Juice, stoic, larger than life, my brother in Christ, thank you for your kindness and support over the years. You were there for me during troubled times and always had kind words and sincere inquiry and concern for my family. You sir, always asked how each one of my children were doing, and how my family was, genuinely interested in hearing about each. May your family take solace in knowing that you are with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Echoing your favorite scripture Isaiah 12:2-3.
Nathan E Langager - Fergus Falls , MN
We thank God for Ken and the many blessed memories we have from the past years. May the Holy Spirit shower His comfort upon Debbie and the rest of the family. Ken loved you Debbie dearly. He always closed his prayers with “and thank you for my wife Debbie. ” Our love and prayers are with you. Rev. Nathan & Karen Langager
Jane Sliva - Escanaba, MI
My sympathy to Penny for losing your father. I was a former art student of yours and enjoyed having conversations with your father.
Mike Cook - Maricopa , AZ
Debbie sorry for your loss, Ken was a great guy, Dad loved going fishing with him and I’ll remember many times fishing with him and in his words “catchin lips” when he tried teaching me jig fishing and I would jerk the pole so hard that all I was doing was “catchin lips”. I’m sure Dad was there to meet him and will now show him the good fishing spots in Heaven!!
Amy Cook - Appleton, WI
My sincere condolences on the loss of such a kind soul. All of my memories of Mr. Jussila involve a warm smile, contagious laughter, and a great man. He was a dear friend to my dad, who fondly referred to him as “Juice Juice by Goose” and indeed they spent many times trolling after a good catch, a good nap, or just good company together. May his eternal rest with God bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Gary, Karen, & Pamela Thinglum - ESCANABA, MI
Debbie, you have our deepest sympathy in the loss of Ken. We often talk about the fun picnics we had with you and Ken, at VanRiper Park each summer. Our kids still talk about the fun times they had with Ken at the beach.
We will miss him.
Sorry we cannot attend his services; we are still in Florida.
mike bessenaire - escanaba, MI
He was our friend and neighbor these past 17 plus years. We shared outings and holidays with our families which our grandsons grew to appreciate him as our elder statesman as they grew older. When we relocated here in 2007 Ken and Deb welcomed us to their neighborhood with open arms and kindness which was not a common occurrence in today’s world. We are so blessed to have had Kenny Bob and or Bubba (my nicknames for Ken) in our lives and will continue to be good humans in his stead. Take comfort knowing we have Deb’s back. Safe travels Bubba. See you on the other side.
Your Friends
Mike & Heather Bessenaire
Shannon Bessenaire - Willimantic, CT
My heart goes out to you Debbie you are incredibly strong woman.
Lee Ann Loupe - Delta, CO
Debbie I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. He was a wonderful guy and good friend, as well as your soul-mate and partner in life. He will be greatly missed; however, his pain and health issues are healed now and I know you take comfort in that. Sending my love and prayers of comfort to you and your family. Most sincerely,
Susan R Coplan - Escanaba, MI
Dear Debbie and family.
I was so sorry when I read this. Ken was a talented, kind and patient man. He was the manager at Pioneer T. V. & Appliance when I began my career as an executive sales representative at The Daily Press. He was a great teacher and I learned a lot from him. We developed a great professional friendship and served on many committees together and had a lot of fun!
Deb, you have my sincere condolences during this difficult time. You will find when you visit going down memory lane is powerful and a great way to heal. Take good care…….
Miles Anderson - Escanaba, Mi
Deb, so sorry for your loss. I just read the obituary today. Ken had a one of a kind laugh. Always happy and loved to catch up on your life details. Never to busy to say Hi and chat.