John E. Carlson

HURLEY, Wis. - John E. Carlson, 99, of Hurley, formerly a lifelong resident of Ironwood, Michigan, passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020.

John was born on Aug. 31, 1921, in Ashland, a son of Charles and Dora (Forst) Carlson.

The family moved to Ironwood. John attended Norrie Grade School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School. He served in the CCC at Camp Norrie. He worked at the A & P Store, Roddis Sawmill and as a custodian for the Ironwood Area Schools. He retired in 1986 as the head of maintenance.

On July 8, 1946, John was married to Doris DeFelice at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. They celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary.

John's passion was steelhead fishing at the Carp and Huron Rivers, with family and friends. He was also an avid hunter. He enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball, and in his later years, umpired men's slow-pitch softball. Playing cribbage with his longtime friend, Tony Ostermen, in the Ironwood Social Cribbage League, gave him much pleasure.

John was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood.

John is survived by his wife, Doris; a son, Paul (Tina), Lake Gogebic, Michigan; a daughter, Clarice (Charles) Lewis, Ironwood; grandson, Brian (Angela) Carlson, Menominee, Michigan, and their children, Wyatt and Garrett; granddaughter, Lori (Barry) Wicklund, Mosinee, and their children, Paige, Emily and Tristan; grandson, Barry (Miquel) Lewis, Ironwood; granddaughter, Cassie (Nathan) Meade, Minocqua, and their children, Nicholas and Emma; a brother, Robert, Lake Wales, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ray, George, Gilbert and Clarence; two sisters, Mary Jane Simonson and Dorothy Bulinski; his brother-in-law, Victor Bulinski; his sisters-in-law, Wilma, Leone, Martha, Ann and Kathleen Carlson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Clarice DeFelice; his brothers-in-law, Jildo DeFelice (Rosemarie), Phillip DeFelice (Martha) and Rocco DeFelice; and his sisters-in-law, Helen Kurpewski (Joseph), Emma Kropko (Joseph) and Rose Heino (Elsior).

Out of respect for John's wishes, cremation will take place.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.