Wesley W. Myllyla

Wesley W. Myllyla, age 91 of Arnheim passed away on Saturday, May 10 at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.

He was born December 20, 1911 in Arnheim, MI son of the late Jacob and Emma (Simila) Myllyla. Wesley attended school through the 8th grade at the McMahon School in Arnheim. After school, he cared for the horses at the logging camp in Rabbit Bay. Wesley worked at the Quincy Mining Company in Hancock until the early 1930's when he began his farming career in Arnheim. During this time he also worked for the Ford Motor Company in Detroit in the winter months. He married the former Lempi Aho on January 9, 1932 in Calumet. They were married for 64 years. Residing on the family farm, he operated the Myllyla Dairy Farm with his family until retiring in 2000 at the age of 89.

Wesley served on the local Board of Directors for the Copper Country Dairy, South Range State Bank, Commercial National Bank in L'Anse, Farmers and Merchants Insurance Company, and the Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He also served on the Baraga County Soil Conservation Committee, Baraga County Planning Commission, Baraga County Overall Economic Development Planning Commission, Lake Superior Dairy Herd Improvement Association, and the U.P. Cooperative Extension Service Council.

He served on several state boards and committees including the American Dairy Association of Michigan, Michigan Soil Conservation Committee, Michigan Natural Resources Council, Michigan Sea Grant Advisory Committee, Governor's Committee on Forestry Woodland Resources, and the Michigan State University Extension Services Advisory Committee.

Wesley received various awards including the Michigan Tech University Distinguished Service Award, President's Award for Distinguished Citizenship from Northern Michigan University in 1981, Michigan State University Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award in 1971, Michigan State University Dairyman of the Year in 1976, Suomi College Distinguished Finnish American Award, Feature article in Michigan Natural Resources Magazine, and the Michigan Water Conservationist of the Year. Wesley along with his wife Lempi received the Baraga County Fair Pioneer Farmer Award in 1986 and they were inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame in 1989. He provided leadership for the diversion of the Sturgeon River/Otter Lake Siltation Project, Sturgeon River Sloughs Project, and the Arnheim Wildlife Refuge.

He was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church, L'Anse. Wesley was an avid outdoors man, enjoyed wildlife throughout his life and was a member of the Ottawa Sportsman's Club.

Wesley is survived by his sons, Kenneth (Rose) Myllyla of Escanaba, Melvin (Nancy) Myllyla and Dennis Myllyla both of Arnheim; daughters, Florence (Bud) Bessonen of Escanaba and June Schaefer of Marquette; nine grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and one cousin.

He is preceded in death by his wife Lempi on April 5, 1996; brothers Alfred and Wiljo Myllyla; sisters Sally Walitalo and Milga Makinen.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mission United Lutheran Church in Pelkie. Rev. Richard Eskola will officiate. Visitations will be on Tuesday from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Jacobson Funeral Home and Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. A luncheon and fellowship will follow the funeral service at the church. Burial will be in the Askel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Baraga County Memorial Hospital, Superior Home Nursing, L'Anse First Apostolic Lutheran Church, or the Keweenaw Bay Community Center. The Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse is assisting the family.

Friends may sign Wesley's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.