Joseph A. Podner
ATLANTIC MINE — Joseph A. Podner, 94, a resident of Atlantic Mine, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at the Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock, where he had been a resident for the past month.
He was born on August 9, 1924, in Painesdale, the seventh child of the late Joseph and Francis (Gregorich) Podner.
Joseph grew up in the Painesdale area until he had enlisted with the United States Navy in 1942, serving in World War II.
When he returned home in 1946, he received his GED from Houghton Schools and began attending Suomi College. After one year there, he enrolled at DeVry in Chicago, earning a degree in Engineering.
On November 9, 1946, he was united in marriage to the former Estelle Karpinen. She preceded him in death in 1985. Joseph was employed for Burroughs Corp. in Detroit where he worked as an electronics engineer for 30 years. During his career, he continued to be active with the US Navy by re-enlisting as a reserve, eventually attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer, First Class. He retired after 30 years of service.
Joseph was a devoted catholic and was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. He enjoyed bowling, amateur radio, playing horseshoes, making wine, and loved dancing.
Besides his parents and his wife, Joseph was preceded in death by his six siblings and his son, Keith.
He is survived by his children, Craig (Deb) Podner of Missoula, Montana, and Cathy (Michael) Peterson of Tapiola; granddaughter, Elisha of Pewaukee, Wisconsin; great-grandchildren, Joseph, Daniel and Jessica; great-great grandchild, Connie; his life partner, Faye Bennett of Calumet; Faye’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; a niece, Joy Riutta; and nephew, Raymond Fox.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton, by Fr. John Martignon.
Burial with military honors will be held 1:30 p.m. in the Mt. View Cemetery in South Range.
Friends may call Monday, July 22, 2019, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Plowe Funeral Home in Houghton, where a parish prayer service will be held at 6 p.m.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice.
To view this obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Home of Houghton has been assisting the family with the arrangements.