Howard Edwin Nevala
L’ANSE, MI – Howard Edwin Nevala, age 75 of L’Anse, MI passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Oscar G Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI.
He was born June 15, 1942 in L’Anse, MI son of Edwin and Elsie (Heikkinen) Nevala. Howard graduated from L’Anse High School in 1960. He was in the US Army serving in South Korea during the Vietnam war. He married the former Janet Larson on July 15, 1989 in L’Anse.
He was an area supervisor for the postal service, putting in 30 years and became a postmaster in L’Anse, retiring in 1997. He was a stamp collector and taught stamp collecting all over the U.P. He was a past member of the American Legion Post 144, serving as commander, was past President of the L’Anse Lions Club, and the Lion of the Year in 1993. He was a member of L’Anse VFW Post #3897.
He was a member of all U.P. Team in football. He started the 1st high school bowling league and it is still going today. He played football in the army. He was a director of Napus State Level. He enjoyed prospecting, cutting firewood for his camp and house, fishing, hunting, and woodworking. He was an excellent pool player and ping pong player.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janet Nevala of L’Anse; daughters, Jennika (Matt Dinnies) Nevala of Duluth, MN and granddaughter Amelia, Jackie (Adam Lundgren) Nevala of Baraga, Mary (Gil) Michaud of Elgin, IL and her three children, Natalie, Wesley, and Lauren; brother Gary (Elizabeth) Nevala of Ishpeming; sister Lorraine of Kingsford and numerous nieces and nephews. And beloved dog Mia.
Preceding him in death are his parents; brother Richard Nevala; sisters, Arlene Kehrer and Shirley LaPlante.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 18th from 11-12:00 p.m. at Jacobson Funeral Home. Baraga County Area Veterans will conduct military rites under the direction of American Legion Post 444 at 12:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service with Pastor Peter Suomela officiating. A luncheon and fellowship will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Post 3897 in L’Anse.
Burial will be in the spring in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery. The Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Friends may sign Howard’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.