Arne F. Rajala
December 4, 1922 — June 20, 2005
Arne F. Rajala, 82, of Watton, died Monday evening, June 20, 2005, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette.
Arne was born December 4, 1922, in Watton, a son of the late Herman and Jenny (Saari) Rajala and was raised there. He was a WWII veteran, having served in the army in the ETO from June of 1943 to New Years of 1946 and earned the CIB and Bronze Star.
On March 21, 1947 he married the former Elsie Alexsandra Saarinen in Hancock, MI and she preceded him in death on June 18, 1992.
Arne worked as a self-employed logger/truck driver before taking a job at the Cliff Shaft in Ishpeming and then with the White Pine Copper Mine where he retired in 1983 after 24 years of employment.
Arne was a resident of Wakefield for 19 years before returning to his hometown of Watton. He was a charter member of the Covington VFW, Henry Henrickson Post 8945.
He is survived by his children, Gary (Sandy) Rajala of Marquette, Sandy (Al) D'Errico of Billerica, Mass; Melvin (Sherry) Rajala of Wakefield and Gail Rajala of Tampa, FL; brother, Robert (Edith) Rajala of Watton; 6 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in the Covington Cemetery. The Baraga County Area Veterans will conduct the military rites.
The Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.