Robert F. Bielawski

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Robert F. Bielawski, 74, recently of Marquette and a former longtime Ironwood resident, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette.

Bob was born Jan. 1, 1940, in Montreal, Wis., son of the late Frank and Doris (Berg) Bielawski, and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, Wis., in 1958. He then served in the U.S. Air Force, and upon discharge, joined the First National Bank of Ironwood in 1962. He was a graduate of the Air Force Institute and Northern Michigan University School of Banking. He was promoted to the position of assistant vice president in 1986 and retired after 37 years of dedicated service to MFC First National Bank in 1999.

Bob was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former St. Michael's Catholic Church. He was a charter member of the Ironwood Area Jaycees and served as senator of the Junior Chamber International. Among his numerous civic, fraternal, governmental and charitable associations was service as secretary of the Gogebic Area Salvation Army, past treasurer of the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce, past secretary-treasurer of the Ironwood United Way, president of the Ironwood Police and Firemen Pension Board, member of the city planning commission, member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5, member of the Economic Development Committee, past member of the Gogebic Association for Retarded Citizens board and officer of the Range Banking Association. He was named the community's Citizen of the Year by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce at their annual installation banquet at the Towne House Motor Inn in 1986.

On Oct. 26, 1959, he was married to the former Karen Keith in Milbank, S.D.

Surviving are his wife, Karen, of 54 years; three daughters, Lorelei (Stephen) Bibler, Hesperia, Calif., Dawn (John) Mayotte, Negaunee, and Crystal (Peter) Massoglia, Marquette; five grandchildren, Deanna and Leah Bibler, Ian Mayotte and Brittany and Stephanie Massoglia; two stepgrandchildren, Misti and Stacy; six step great-grandchildren; an aunt, Esther Eschenbauch, and cousin, Gerald Hedman, both of Presque Isle, Wis .; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Michael and Vicki Keith, Savage, Minn., and Ronnie and Bonnie Keith, Willmar, Minn.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a sister, Delores Bielawski; sister-in-law, Judy Malvin; and brothers-in-law, Judd Malvin and Steve Keith.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Friday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10:30 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will follow.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood MI 49938.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be given online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.