HOUGHTON - Lloyd N. Wiitanen, 88, a resident of Westland and former Houghton resident, died on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the Heartland West Bloomfield Rehab center in West Bloomfield, Mich.

Lloyd was born April 17, 1921 in Redridge, son of the late Arthur and Hilia (Moilanen) Wiitanen.

He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from January 1938 through December 1939. He served proudly in the U.S. Coast Guard from October 1942 to October 1945.

On May 29, 1954, he married Ella Vilma Pelto at St. Matthew's Church in Hancock. The couple lived in Westland prior to moving back to Houghton. Lloyd moved back to Westland to live after Ella's passing in September of 2006.

Lloyd retired from Burroughs in Plymouth, Mich.

He was a member of Ranger Post 6165 VFW in South Range.

Lloyd's favorite pastime was watching a Detroit Tiger baseball game.

Surviving are his daughter, Faye (Chuck) Rousos of West Bloomfield; son, Paul Wiitanen of Westland; four grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Newberry of Keego Harbor, Nicole Wiitanen, serving with the U.S. Navy in Washington, Kristina Wiitanen of Westland and Joshua Wiitanen of Westland; one great-grandson, Anthony; two brothers, Roy Wiitanen of Grand Blanc, Wilho Wiitanen of Dollar Bay; a sister, Karen Ranta of Tapiola; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his parents, Lloyd was also preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2009, at the Mountain View Mortuary in South Range with Pastor Elmer Liimatta to officiate.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Monday at the mortuary. Burial with military rites will be in the Atlantic Mine Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.