Evo Santoni

Evo Peter Santoni, a few days shy of his 88th birthday, passed away September 21, 2011 at Manor Care Nursing Facility in Kingsford, Michigan. He was born September 25, 1923, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Italian immigrants, Alberto and Lucia (Toni) Santoni of Sassoferrato, Italy. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the army. A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, he jumped on D-day landing in Ste. Mere Eglise, France. He received a purple heart and an oak leaf cluster for being wounded multiple times. Evo also received the presidential citation and the bronze star. After the war he married June Reiten on January 10, 1947. He began his work career at the Ford Motor Company in Kingsford. When the Veterans Administration Hospital opened, Evo took the position as head carpenter. Besides working at the Veterans Hospital, Evo always had side jobs building custom cabinets, remodeling, and building new homes. In 1959 Lewis G. Eisele, owner of Eisele Lumber and Fuel, convinced Evo to work for him with the agreement that he would sell his business to Evo in 1964. In 1964 Evo took ownership of Eisele Lumber and Fuel and immediately began changing the primary focus of the business from a coal and fuel oil supply company to a building material supply company. Many remodeling projects and additions to the business occurred by 1969. The business name was changed to Santoni Lumber and Fuel and the Santoni family successfully operated it until it was sold on December 31st 1975. In 1970 Evo's interest in construction surfaced again when he founded Dickinson Homes Inc. He was a long time member of Pine Grove Country Club, a member of the Chippewa Club and 6-7-8 Club. He also had the distinction of serving on the Board of Directors of the Commercial National Bank of Iron Mountain and on the Board of Directors of Trico for more than 30 years. He was a tireless volunteer, but mostly enjoyed time with his family. He is survived by three children: Paul (Annette) Santoni, Albert (Paula) Santoni, Kathy (Steve) Lewis; eight grandchildren: Maria (Justin) Samuels, Kathryn (Chad) Menza, Kristina (Scott) Oswald, Mario (Brynn) Santoni, Anthony Santoni (Annie Thomas), Benjamin Lewis, Gabriel Lewis, and Adam Lewis; five great-grandchildren: Madelyn and Charli June Samuels, Maren and Lucas Menza, and Gino Santoni. He leaves behind one sister, Toni Hillenbrand of Overland Park, Kansas, and many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and great nephews; special friend, Pat Dooley and his good friend and neighbor, Dale Frei. He was preceded in death by his wife, June; a great granddaughter, Daniela Lyn Oswald; three sisters: Eva Santoni, Vera Van Immerseel-Staple, Evelyn Santini; four brothers-in- law: Frank "Yankee" Van Immerseel, Les Staple, John Santini, and John Hillenbrand; and a niece, Nancy Andrews. Pallbearers will be his five grandsons and three grandsons- in- law. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Visitation will be held from 11:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm at the funeral home. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be in the Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. Condolences to the family of Evo Santoni may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Evo Santoni

September 25, 1923 - September 21, 2011