IRONWOOD, Mich. – Bobby John Hantula, a long-time resident of Ironwood, passed away peacefully Saturday on his 83rd birthday, July 22, 2017.

Bobby was born on July 22, 1934, in Ironwood Township, a son of John and Signe (Kruutari) Hantula. He attended Roosevelt Grade School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1953.

After graduation, Bobby proudly served as a United States Merchant Marine and sailed on board the La Belle Ship on the Great Lakes.

On Jan. 25, 1956, Bobby was united in marriage to Mary Ann Tienhaara in Ironwood. They were blessed with two children.

Bobby was employed by and retired from White Pine Copper Company.

Always wanting to learn more, he enrolled at Gogebic Community College in their automotive technology program.

Bobby was a handyman and could fix anything and shared his talents with friends and family.


Bobby enjoyed hunting, fishing, especially for brook trout, and growing his vegetable garden. He had a green thumb and was a creative cook. Bobby took great pleasure hosting delicious meals and his specialty was fish fries and smoking turkeys.

He spent many happy hours watching the Detroit Lions and Tigers on television. Bobby absolutely loved spending time with his grandson, Michael, who played hockey for many years, and he very seldom missed a game. Bobby treasured those memories.

He was a member of Trout Unlimited, Aurora Club and Norrie Club.

Bobby is survived by a son, Michael John (Irene), Bessemer; his son-in-law, Bobby Davis, Gwinn; his former son-in-law, Randy Hedman, Ironwood; two grandsons, Michael Lee Hedman, Dickinson, N.D., and Travis "T.J." Davis, Gwinn; three sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, Karen M. Hantula, Hurley, Wis., Lila and John Barto, Ironwood, and Esther and Ray Deno, Marquette; and several nieces and nephews.


He was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Mary, on Sept. 11, 2006; a daughter, Ann M. Davis, on Dec. 12, 2016; and a brother, Toivo M. "Toby," on Dec. 6, 2010.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 27, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at Lakeside Memorial Chapel, 806 Putnam St., in Wakefield. The Rev. Bill Jacobson, pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield, will officiate.

Cremation will take place following the service.

Inurnment will take place Friday, July 28, at 1:30 p.m., at Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

The Hantula family wishes to acknowledge and thank profoundly the wonderful staff, especially the second floor staff, at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.