Joseph Perley Cholette

Joseph Perley Cholette, 79, of Marquette and Aura, died Saturday, May 21, 2005 at Marquette General Hospital after a short illness.

He was born November 4, 1925 to Henry and Rose (Oulette) Cholette, in Lincoln Park, Michigan. He married Elma Stacks on November 15, 1944. They were married for 46 years until her death in 1991.

Joseph served in the Canadian armed forced in 1944 during WWII. He graduated from the Henry Ford Trade School and completed a tool and die apprenticeship at Great Lakes Steel in Detroit. He went on to work at the Chrysler Corporation as a tool and die maker while continuing his education and night school and achieved a degree in tool engineering. Joseph retired in 1989 as chief superintendent of engineering for the Chrysler Corporation.

He married Marilyn Keskimaki on May 25, 1996.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and became a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Gwinn. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Cholette; sons, Daniel (Cheryl) Cholette of Aura, Thomas (Marie) Cholette of Chassell, Ronald Cholette of Aura, Randolph (Kami) Cholette of Skanee, Kenneth (Debbie) Cholette of Aura; a daughter, Cynthia (Jay) Steinert of Gibralter, MI; grandchildren, Jennifer, Diane, Christopher (Susan), Nicole, Jason, Lenard (Angie), Elizabeth, Timothy, Bonnie and Cindy; step-daughters, Julie (Russell) Fox, Janice (Daniel) Dill and Jennifer (Andy) Feuerstein; siblings, Gerald, Wilfred, Richard, Margaret, Larry and Bob; nephew, Gerald (Mary) Cholette of Aura; great-grandchildren, Daniel, Jay and Jacob. His parents, wife and brothers preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at 3 p.m. in the Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse with Rev. Nancy Kauppi officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home for one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be make to Grace Lutheran Church at 558 W. M-35, Gwinn, MI 49841.