Emil Henry Filpus
May 14, 1953 — July 19, 2006
Emil Filpus, 53, of Skanee, died Wednesday morning, July 19, 2006, at his home, surrounded by his family, following a lengthy illness.
He was born May 14, 1953, in Hancock, Michigan, a son of the late John and Margaret (Antonnen) Filpus. Emil was a 1971 Baraga High School graduate.
He was employed for many years as a work crew supervisor at Camp Kitwin in the state corrections system and also held the position of Baraga Township Program Administrator and Building Inspector. In his earlier years Emil also worked at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay.
Emil was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee, the Ottawa Sportsman's Club and served as president, a member of the Downtown Development Authority in Baraga, the Baraga Village Council and was the former president of the building inspectors union.
He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid sportsman hunting deer, goose and turkey. He also enjoyed farming and carpentry. Emil will be remembered by his family as a kind, giving and patient man.
He is survived by his wife, Jan Marie (Collins) Filpus of Skanee; 3 daughters, Jodie Filpus of Duluth, MN, Jess Filpus of Marquette and Michelle Filpus of Minneapolis, MN; 3 step-children, Stephen Widby of Detroit, Julia (Jason) Miller of Woodhaven, MI and Jon-Paul Widby of Taylor, MI; 3 grandchildren, Paul Widby, Jacob and Zachary Miller; siblings, Bertha (Dimmer) Sarinen of Florida, Lucille Hopp of Lower Michigan, Francis Kinnunen of Six Lakes, MI, Walter Kinnunen of Arnheim, MI and John (Diane) Filpus of Chassell; and several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 21, 2006 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Jacobson Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held on Saturday, July 22, 2006 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in the church with Pastor Judy Mattson officiating. Interment will be in the Skanee Cemetery.