Michael “Mike” A. Keskimaki, age 58, of Rock River Road, Chatham, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, April 2, 2006. He was born on August 18, 1947 in Marquette, Michigan to Arnold and Helen (Maki) Keskimaki. Mike graduated from Eben High School in 1965. He was working at Pontiac Motors when he entered the U.S. Air Force on July 28, 1966. Mike served in Korea during the Vietnam War as a F-106 Fighter Jet Crew Chief. He was discharged as a Sergeant on July 27, 1972.
In 1970, he married Doreen Heath and they had four children together. After the Air Force, Mike worked at the Lakeshore Inc. in Marquette. He was hired with the Alger County Road Commission and worked for 29 years before retiring in 2001. While his kids were growing up, Mike and his family also worked their family farm. He enjoyed working in the fields, raising beef cattle, and other animals. Mike loved anything mechanical and was gifted in that line of work. He also had well drilled for Nick Boravich Drillling. When he had time, he enjoyed hunting deer and partridge.
Mike is survived by his children and grandchildren– Dawn (Gregory) Leppanen of Eben and their children Maria, Luke, Laurie, and Michael, Darin Keskimaki of Chatham, Brett (Patricia) Keskimaki stationed at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota and their children Sara, Alina, and another baby due this month, and Brynn (Joseph) Fisher of Chatham and their children Raine and Aurora; his mother – Helen Keskimak of Chatham; brothers – Alan (Kathy) Keskimaki of Capac, MI and Paul (Susan) Keskimaki of Houghton; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Keskimaki.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until noon. Mike’s funeral service will be conducted by Roger Kangas on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 12:00 noon at the Chatham Apostolic Lutheran Church.
