Ronald ‘Stu’ Sihtala
ISHPEMING, MI – Ronald Stuart ‘Stu’ Sihtala, age 80, of Ishpeming, passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the Michigan Veterans Home D.J. Jacobetti, surrounded by his family.
Born in Ishpeming to the late Ronald and Julianne (Riberdy) Sihtala, Stu grew up in Ishpeming Township and attended grade school in North Lake. He graduated from Ishpeming High School with the class of 1963. In his youth he was an avid marksman and competitor in archery. Stu discovered ham radio in high school and remained an active operator throughout his life and was a member of the Hiawatha Amateur Radio Association.
Stu married his teenage sweetheart, Susan Dobson, in 1972 at St. Pius Church in Ishpeming. After high school he joined the U.S. Army National Guard and was called to active duty during the Detroit riots. Early in his working career he worked at Northwest Radio in Marquette, repairing television sets, and he later retired from the Empire Mine after more than 30 years of service. He also taught classes and proctored electronics aptitude tests for CCI.
A lifelong tinkerer and learner, Stu built his own computer in the 1980s and pursued interests in photography (especially nature), wood carving, and operating a small printing press to make invitations and cards. He was known for his continued dedication to learning and sharing his skills with others. Above all, he loved being ‘Papa’. Fond memories will remain of him and his granddaughter Emmalee preparing Papa’s famous oatmeal.
Stu is survived by his daughter, Laura Sihtala; granddaughter, Emmalee; twin-sister Julie Pearce; brother, Richard Sihtala; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; his son, Jeffrey Sihtala; his parents, Ronald and Julianne ‘Dolly’ Sihtala (Riberdy); and his brother, Robert Sihtala.
A funeral service will be held at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home on Thursday December 4, 2025, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Father Jernej will officiate. A luncheon will take place immediately following the service at St. John’s Catholic Church in the K/D Hall.
A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends are invited to share notes of remembrance.