The IBEW hat that has been made in honor of Jack Rantanen is for sale to help raise money to establish a scholarship in his name. (Photo courtesy of Joe Boburka)

MARQUETTE– Jack Rantanen, the lineman who was killed on the job in August, is being honored as his friend orchestrates a scholarship in his name.

“On August 25, Jack Rantanen was struck by an inattentive driver and killed on the job during work here in Marquette on County Road 553,” said Joe Boburka, Lineman and good friend of Rantanen’s. “Jack was a very dear friend of mine and this tragedy has certainly shook the community of both linemen and locals who knew how wonderfully genuine and faultlessly kind Jack was. While Jack was alive, he had made a few hats with the same IBEW logo patch for his friends and co-workers. In his honor, I’ve had identical hats made with the addition of his initials embroidered on the side, so those who still have originals are able to tell apart these from the ones Jack personally touched.”

Hats can be purchased by contacting Joe Boburka on Facebook, under the same name, or by texting ‘Hat’ to 906-360-2443. All proceeds will go to the Jack Rantanen scholarship.

“All proceeds will go towards the Jack Rantanen memorial scholarship for high school students wishing to enroll in line school and become a lineman,” Boburka said. “With hundreds of hats ordered, we are hoping to be able to keep the scholarship funded for many years to come. Stickers, T-shirts, as well as a go-fund-me will be going live and available for those who wish to contribute.”

A GoFundMe has also been set up and can be accessed by searching for Jack Rantanen or at the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-jack-rantanen-memorial-fund?attribution_id=sl:4d673c2e-be1c-4df9-bfee-86471c71b805&lang=en_US&ts=1764185004&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp17_te&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=sms

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.