Earl W. Maki

WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Earl W. Maki, 92, of 101 Eddy St., Wakefield, passed away peacefully Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.

He was born on Oct. 7, 1918, in Wakefield, the son of William O. and Linne (Torkko) Maki. Earl graduated from Wakefield High School with the class of 1937.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a Technical Sergeant in the 3175th Signal Service Company earning a medal during the European African Middle Eastern Theatre in Cairo, Egypt.

After his honorable discharge from the military, Earl attended Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, and graduated from Michigan Technological University in Houghton as an electrical engineer.

He worked and then retired from Consumers Power Co., in Jackson after 35 years of service.

Earl returned to Wakefield, where he made his home.

He was a life member of his church in Jackson, All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084.

Earl is survived by two sisters, Laura Olson, Wakefield, and Carolyn (Jim) Ozzello, Livonia, N.Y.; four brothers, Eugene, Wakefield, Donald (Jeanette), Gwinn, Lloyd, Marquette, and Douglas (Marie), New Town, Conn.; two stepsons, Reed (Inge) Harris, New Baltimore, and Rodney (Nina) Harris, Farmington; a stepdaughter, Annette (Jack) Gibson, Long Grove, Ill.; six step-grandchildren, Reed Harris Jr., Tiffany Harris, Melanie Coulter, John Gibson, Tyler Harris and Keely Denenburg; his brother-in-law, David (Vicky) Ylkanen; his sister-in-law, Dorothy Latva; many nieces and nephews; his caregivers, Jean White and Dorothy Popovich; his close friends and neighbors, Mike and Marlene Rydeski; and his extended "family" friends at Sunday Lake Apartments.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, the former Doris Ylkanen of Wakefield, on June 17, 1990; his second wife, the former Sylvia Keskey-Harris of Wakefield and Grand Haven, on Feb. 23, 2006; two sisters, Verna, in infancy, and Bernice Stenstrom, Ironwood; and a brother, Bernhardt, Grants, N.M.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at All Saints Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Bill Jacobson officiating.


Burial in Lakeside Cemetery, with a military graveside service under the auspices of American Legion Post 11 and VFW Post 9084 Honor Guard.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of the service at the church, with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m.

A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider the All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam Blvd., Wakefield MI 49968 in Mr. Maki's memory.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family. Your condolences may be shared with the family at: lakesidememorialchapel.com.