John Edward Phillippi
May 29, 1926 — January 15, 2008
John E. Phillippi, age 81 of Pelkie, MI passed away on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at Bayside Village in L'Anse.
John was born May 29, 1926 in Alston, MI son of Matthew and Maude (Wagner) Phillippi. He attended the old Alston School. On August 10, 1944 John went into the US Navy serving in WWII until 1946. On October 26, 1951 John went into the US Air Force when he served in Korea and Vietnam; until May 1, 1970 when he moved to Montana. He married Senu "Sally" Horma Kemppainen on June 26, 1976 in Columbia Falls, Montana. In 1985 they moved back to Pelkie. He was a member of the Alston VFW Post 7646. John loved to travel.
Surviving are his wife Sally; step son Dennis (Linda) Kemppainen of Lynchburg, VA; two step grandsons Derek and Wally Kemppainen; step great grandson Austin Kemppainen; nephews Jim Hiltunen of Alston, Jack (Judy) Hiltunen of Ft. Worth,TX, Michael Hiltunen of Little Chute, WI, Peter (Judy) Hiltunen of Ishpeming; nieces Lois Clarey of Utica, MI, Pat Boyd of Caledonia, WI; numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents; brother James Phillippi; sisters Kathleen Hiltunen and Marion Kerrigan.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 19th at 11:00 am at the Jacobson Funeral Home. Rev. John Autio will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The Baraga County Area Veterans will conduct military rites at 10:30 am under the direction of the American Legion Post 444. Burial will be in the spring in the Nisula Cemetery. A luncheon and fellowship will be held at the Alston VFW Post 7646 following the service. The Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse is assisting the family.