John Sanford Eskela

John was born May 19, 1923 in Negaunee to John and Angeline (Snell) Eskela, graduating in 1941 from Negaunee High School. John entered military service in the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, 107th Ski Troops in the European Theater, then transferred to 42nd Division 242 Infantry, being honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant.

John worked part time in the underground mines, John pursued a degree in Math, graduating from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelors Degree and the University of Michigan with a Masters Degree.

John married Irene Peterson and they were together happily for close to 60 years.

John went on to teach math, with a passion for over 30 years, in Champion and Ishpeming. He loved math and imbued his students with the same interests, many remembering his caring and humorous ways.

John loved to connect with people and appreciated the foibles of human nature with humorous ethnic stories of early Negaunee. He loved baseball, the Tigers and Packers, trout fly fishing, small game hunting berry picking, family times together and his church.

John was an active member of the Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church of Negaunee and his faith was the center of his life.

John is survived by wife, Irene (Peterson) Eskela, nephews Norman Goethe and David (Kim) Goethe, brother in law Don (Rita) Peterson, sisters in law Rosemary (Jim) Kutchie, and Sue (Roger) LeDuc.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Angie Eskela, and a sister Catherine (Norman) Goethe.

John’s family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful and caring staff of the D.J. Jacobetti Veterans Home for their compassionate care.

Memorials could kindly be directed to the Negaunee Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church

John’s family will greet relatives and friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at the Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church in Negaunee where a memorial service will be held at noon with Dale Niskanen officiating, with a lunch to follow.

Military honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 380.

John’s obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie .com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.