Jack Douglas Wahlstrom

Jack Douglas Wahlstrom, 93, of Iron Mountain, died Tues. July 1, 2014 at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 18, 1921, the son of the late Eric and Irma (Hedberg) Wahlstrom. Jack graduated from Kingsford High School in 1940. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force during World War II. Jack’s love of flying came early after a ride in a stagger wing Beechcraft with a family friend in 1939. From 1943-1948 he attended twelve flying schools and flew different types of aircraft including the four engine bombers, the B-17, the B-24, and the B-29. His aeronautical rating from the F.A.A. allowed him to teach flying on both land and sea aircraft. He was also a rated instrument pilot. As a teacher at Fontana School of Aeronautics, he flew 1500 hours and his students flew 3000 hours. His only regret is that he did not get a chance to drop bombs on Japan. Jack always enjoyed his visits to the local airport to watch the activities. He knew the make of 90 percent of the aircraft in the sky. He married Betty Crocker on Dec. 15, 1945 at First United Methodist Church. Jack worked for the Niagara Paper Mill from 1948-1993, retiring as a safety supervisor. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. Jack was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as the Sunday School superintendant and teacher, a lay delegate to the church conference, and doing various fundraising and projects for the church. He also sang in the church choir. Jack belonged to the Dickinson County Pilots Association and served two terms as president. He also led the fund drive to construct the Pilots Association Clubhouse. Jack belonged to the Masonic Lodge #388, and Oak Crest Golf Course. He also belonged to the Dickinson County Golden K where he was the longtime secretary and peanut sale coordinator. He was a Boy Scout Safety Instructor, served on the Dickinson County Planning Commission, and was a speaker at the National Safety Congress. Jack was instrumental in raising the funds to build the Dickinson Area Band Shell at Lake Antoine. Jack is survived by his wife Betty, on son John Wahlstrom of Iron Mountain, one daughter Susan (Paul) Guth of Iron Mountain, sister Colleen Soderberg of Iron Mountain, 5 grandchildren Jennifer (Tim) Spreen, Melissa (Brian) Jones , Kristin (Mark) Novara, Michelle Guth and Daniel (Erin) Guth, nine great grandchildren Ella and Jack Spreen; Keira, Paige, Carter, and Ashlyn Jones; Nicholas and Gianna Novara: and Madison Guth, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Jeanne Johnson and daughter-in-law Karyn Wahlstrom. Visitation will be Thurs. from 11am-1pm at First United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at 1pm Thurs. at the church. Rev. Walter Reichle will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Pallbearers will be Lloyd Broullire, Bob Langsford, John Jamar, Roland Gazza, Ray Henderson, and Mark Hansch. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church. Condolences to the family of Jack D. Wahlstrom can be expressed online to www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Jack Douglas Wahlstrom

March 18, 1921 - July 1, 2014