Reino Sipola
SOUTH RANGE — Reino S. Sipola, 86, a resident of South Range, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025, following a long battle with cancer. He died at home, where he was lovingly cared for by his wife, Beverley, daughter, Sara, and in recent months, daughter Denise.
Reino was born on Jan. 4, 1939. The son of Reino M. and Laila L. (Perala) Sipola of Toivola. He attended the Misery Bay School and was a graduate of Jeffer’s High School. He completed vocational training through Lansing Community College.
Mr. Sipola was a veteran having proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Medic from 1962-64.
Reino was a “Jack of all trades.” Having grown up on a farm in Misery Bay, when things broke down, you fixed em! That was the beginning of what grew to be a man of great knowledge and with a dedicated work ethic. He worked on the ore boats while sailing the Great Lakes. Following this, he worked road construction before entering his career field, the Oil Industry. Here, he maintained furnaces, drove tanker trucks in both the US and Canada, was a heavy-duty wrecker operator and head mechanic. No matter the job, Reino always gave it his all until the job was done and done correctly.
On Sept. 26, 1964, Reino was united in marriage to Beverley Givens at Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range.
Reino believed in giving back to your community. He served as a council member in the Village of South Range. In addition to 25 years on the South Range Volunteer Fire Department. His last two years serving as chief, before his retirement in 1996.
Reino was one that liked to stay busy, even in his spare time. He enjoyed woodworking. Building bird houses and waiting for the purple martins to return every spring brought him joy. As well, as making special projects to gift to family and friends. Reading, anything history related, especially local areas, was of great interest to him.
He could’ve been a tour guide. Outdoor sports were a must with fishing being at the top of the list. Isle Royale being his destination of choice. “Any day on the lake was a good day!”
Above all else, Reino loved spending time with his family. They were his pride and joy! In most recent years, if it was a nice day, the garage door was up and you could find him and Beverley sitting side by side, enjoying the sun.
Reino was preceded in death by his parents, Reino and Laila Sipola; mother-in-law, Florence (Givens) Gergurich; several aunts and uncles, including Sgt. William Thomas Sipola, U.S. Army; brothers-in-law, Douglas Hayrynen and Clark Givens; and a niece, Tracy (Hagwell) Grall.
Surviving are his best friend and loving wife, Beverley; two daughters, Denise (Scott) Graham and Sara Sipola; grandson, Corey (Elizabeth) Graham; granddaughter, Victoria (Josh Scheretie) Graham and three great-grandsons; five siblings, Laverne Hayrynen, Grace (Charles) Burger, Jack (Sandy) Sipola, Jerry (Edith) Sipola and Rosella (Larry) Juntunen; eight nieces and six nephews; and several cousins; long-time friends, Sandra and Bernie Provencher and family, Marion and Art Kreivi, April and Michael Kanary, Toby and Joanne Klassen; and innumerable others.
Reino’s family would like to thank the following for the dedication, care and compassion he received throughout the years. First and foremost, our family, special friends, neighbors, Aspirus Home Health and Hospice, Chaplain Paul Black, UPHS-Portage including Home Health Care, Dr. Charles Goodwin and the Oncology Department, Dr. Wade Liston, Wound Care, Dr. Mercedes Maki and the Emergency Department at UP Health System – Portage, UPHS – Marquette, including Dr. Eric Schaff and the Radiation Oncology Department, Dr. Elizabeth Hogan, Department of Veteran’s Affairs including Dr. Todd Anderson, Joe Battisfore, Cathy Anthony and Amy Gregerson. Dr. David Kass, Dr. Lloyd Geddes, Adams Township First Responders, Mercy EMS, The Beacon House of Marquette.
“God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers” you fought long and hard, rest easy. We love you!
A celebration of Reino’s life will be held Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range with Chaplain Paul Black to officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery at a later date.
Friends may call on Friday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. until time of services at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range.
To view Reino’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net (http://www.memorialchapel.net/).
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Mt. View Chapel of South Range has been assisting the family with the arrangements.