Earl Poisson

Earl Robert Poisson, 88, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, April 6, 2010, at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, where he had resided since March 25, 2010. Prior to that, Earl had been a resident at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living Facility in Marquette, for the past 10 years. Earl was born in Iron Mountain, on Dec. 6, 1921, to Edmund and Aldea (Trepanier) Poisson. He was the youngest of four sons. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1940. Earl was a proud veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946. He attended and graduated from Army Airways Communication System (A.A.C.S.) advanced Radio Technical Schools after which he served in the South and Central Pacific regions. He spent eight months on New Caledonia and 14 months on Guam where he was technical sergeant in charge of a large communication station. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945. After the war, Earl joined his brother, Ray, in the neon sign business. He started employment in 1951 with the Wisconsin-Michigan Power Company (which was eventually absorbed into the parent Wisconsin Electric Power Company). He retired after nearly 33 years of service, the last 20 years in supervisory positions. Earl married Lorraine Legois on Aug. 23, 1947. Lorraine preceded him in death on Dec. 19, 1995. They had three daughters, Ceil, Cheryl, and Janice Marie, who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome at the age of six months. They raised their family in Kingsford, where Earl resided until his wife's death. He then moved to the Marquette area to be closer to his daughters. Earl was a dedicated family man, spending his spare time teaching his children to swim, water ski, ice skate, snow ski, and play golf. He was an excellent swimmer and spent time as a life guard. He loved boating, fishing, and camping, all with his family. Earl also enjoyed bowling, golfing, buying and collecting guns, and was an avid CB and Ham radio operator. He loved flying, as well, although he never found the time to obtain his pilot's license. As camping was an important part of Earl's family life, he and Willard Miller (his friend and fellow employee at Wisconsin Electric) co-founded the W.E. Employees' Campground located just above the Twin Falls Power Plant on the Menominee River. Known as "Camp Shataba," this campground became a popular site for vacationing W.E. employees and their families. Earl spent many summers acting as the campground manager and caretaker. Earl belonged to several organizations throughout his lifetime, including Holy Name Society, Elks Club, United Commercial Travelers, Dickinson County Pilot's Club, Civil Air Patrol, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mich-a-Con Amateur Radio Club, United Sportsmen's Club, Pistol Club, Archery Club, and was a member at the Norway and Spread Eagle Golf Clubs. Earl was also a dedicated Catholic, and had a strong belief and love of our Lord, Jesus, and our Mother, Mary. While growing up in Iron Mountain, he was a member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church. After moving to Kingsford, he and his family were members of St. Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church. In his later years, when attending Mass became physically too difficult for him, he participated daily in the Rosary and Mass offered through the Eternal Word Network. Earl decorated his apartment at Brookridge with many religious pictures, along with those of his family. Along with his parents, his wife, Lorraine, and his daughter, Janice Marie, Earl was preceded in death by his older brothers, Daniel and Joseph Poisson. He is survived by his daughters, Ceil (Jim) Bourdess of Skandia and Cheryl (Joe) Palmer of Marquette; his brother, Raymond Poisson of Iron Mountain, his granddaughter, Angela Elliott of Denver; his grandson, Kevin Palmer of Ishpeming; three great-grandchildren, Christopher, Dylan, and Chloe of Denver; two sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law, and several nieces and nephews and their children. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Mary and St. Joseph Church in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. Fr. Daniel Moll will offer the Mass of the Christian burial. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Earl Poisson

December 6, 1921 - April 6, 2010