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CHAMPION, MI – Conrad Charles Kontio, 87, of Fish Lake in Champion, passed away Thursday morning, September 17, 2026 at Marquette County Medical Care Facility while in the care of his loving family.
Conrad was born August 27, 1939 in Ishpeming to Arthur and Mildred (Kalus) Kontio and graduated from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1957. He then attended Northern Michigan University prior to beginning his working career. Conrad was united in marriage to Sandra Collins in 1959 and together they raised their family in Negaunee.
Conrad’s jobs were many throughout his career, including Conrad’s Imports, research tech for CCI at Eagle Mills, service and bodyshop manager for Don Lucas Imports, O’Dovero Construction, mechanic at the Tilden Mine and service manager for Lake Shore, Inc. He then began his own business in 1984 with William Twa, Diesel Fleet Services, which is now Quality Car Care Center in Marquette. Conrad retired in 2008 after working for 50 years.
Following retirement, Conrad and Sandra enjoyed traveling together, spending time at Fish Lake, taking saunas, restoring many vehicles, smoking and grilling meats and baking Houska at Christmas. He was a lover of dogs and asked that any memorial considerations be directed to UPAWS in his memory. Conrad was a longtime member of Mitchell United Methodist Church in Negaunee.
Surviving are his loving wife of 67 years, Sandra Kontio; seven children: James (Meganne) Kontio, Kristine (Jeffry) Besola, Suzanne (William) Pfunder, Jeffrey (Michele) Kontio, Kathryn (Michael) Scott, Rebecca (Patrick) Moyle and Peter (Constance) Kontio; 17 grandchildren: Collin (Jacey) Kontio, Clare (Nathan) Ham, Mathew (Erin) Besola, Melissa (Tony) Darga, Brandon (Kathy) Besola, Nichole (John) Nicely, Patrick (Mariah Gillespie) Terry, Jeffery Kontio, Jr., Jared (Leah Dompierre) Kontio, Morgan (Jake) Kari, Michael (Tessa) Scott, Conrad Scott, Ryan (Lexi) Scott, Samantha (Adam) Uuro, Anthony Moyle, Madysen Kontio, Mykenna (Trevor Uren) Kontio; 15 great-grandchildren; his siblings: Arthur Loren (Marsha) Kontio, Judith (Kenneth) Brown and Karen Kontio; sisters-in-law: Sandee Collins and Diane (William) Koski. He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Sheldon and Rose Collins; and brother-in-law, James Collins.
Honoring Conrad’s wishes, private family services will be held. Interment will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery.
Conrad’s memorial page may be viewed at www.koskeyfuneralhome.co