Arvo Arthur Hakkola, age 79, of Eben Junction, passed away on Saturday evening, August 5, 2006 after two months of illness. He died peacefully in faith at home surrounded by his family. Arvo was born on the family farm on November 17, 1926. He grew up on the farm and was a lifelong resident of Alger County. Arvo left high school to serve in the U.S. Army Horse Calvary from January 1945 until November 1946. He returned to school following the service and graduated from Eben High School. He married Virginia Mae Bonner on May 28, 1949. Arvo was the longtime manager of the Eben Junction Unity Co-op and retired in 1993. He also ran a dairy farm, was Chatham schools custodian, surge equipment dealer, community barber, and 4-H leader. Arvo loved farming, working in the woods, building, gardening, socializing, University of Michigan football, local sports, horseshows, and most of all his faith and family.
Arvo is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years Virginia Hakkola of Eben Junction; their children Terrence (Leslie) Hakkola of Minneapolis, Jack (Bonnie) Hakkola of Escanaba, Sandra (Robert) Rezendes of Ledyard, CT, and Archie (Frances) Hakkola of Eben; grandchildren Rachel, Elisha, Celeste, Leah, Seth, Jacob, Arianne, Alexander, Alicia, Ashely, Nicholas, Michael, Brian, and Charles; great-grandchildren Hailea Mae, Griffin, Michalyn, Jordan, Dylan, Zari, Elena, Grant, Sam, and Geneva; brothers Eino (Vivian) Hakkola of Rumely and Donald (Marie) Hakkola of Eben; sister-in-law Irene Hakkola; brother-in-law Martin Ittner; numerous nieces and nephews; and special dog Hully. Arvo was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Fran Ittner, Esther Hines, Eva Roberts, and Elsie Hallinen; and brothers John, Walfred, Paul, and William Hakkola.
Visiting time with family and friends will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and also at the church in Eben on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eben Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church with interment following at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham. The Alger County Veterans Council will conduct military honors at the gravesite.
