Richard E. Rajala

IRONWOOD, Mich. – Richard E. Rajala, 66, of Wakefield, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, May 16, 2011, at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood.
He was born on Feb. 15, 1945, in Detroit, son of the late Edwin and Irene (Benson) Rajala. Dick was an honorary graduate of L.L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1963.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged.
On June 26, 1971, Dick was united in marriage with Judy Forward, in Aurora, Minn.
He was a member of the Wakefield American Legion Post 11.
Dick enjoyed playing baseball and watching all sports, including the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. He was an avid reader and loved to read Louis L'Amour books.
Dick was employed at Erie Mining Co. of Hoyt Lakes, Minn., White Pine Copper Mine, the shipyards in Ontonagon and Iron River, and most recently for the Wakefield Holiday Store.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; a daughter, Nikki; two sons, Casey (fiancée, Beth) and Beau; a sister, Annette; two brothers, Robert and Russell; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Dick was preceded in death by two sisters, Janice Amore and Marilyn Amore; his mother- and father-in-law, Ruth and Frank Forward; his brother-in-law, Frank Amore; and a nephew, Leon Amore.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 20, at 11 a.m., at Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield, with Chaplain Jim Jacobson officiating. Burial will follow with military honors under the auspices of the Wakefield American Legion Post 11 and the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084.
Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories may be shared at lakesidememorialchapel.com.