John Mente

KINGSFORD - John Joseph Mente, 88, of Kingsford, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at the VA Medical Center. He was born on July 11, 1919, in Iron Mountain, the son of the late John and Lucy (Kattnig) Mente. John graduated from Iron Mountain High School. John served in World War II in the U.S. Coast Guard in the Pacific as a radio operator in the island hopping campaigns. John worked for Ford Motor Co. in Kingsford as a machinist until it closed. He worked for Michigan Manufacturing Co., Martins Manufacturing Co. and Kingsford Broach and Tool, retiring in 1984. John married Dorothy Ouimette on Oct. 17, 1942, in Iron Mountain. The couple celebrated 65 years of marriage. John loved to volunteer and loved to work with and help people. He was a Eucharistic minister and lector and served on the church council at the American Martyrs Church in Kingsford. He also was instrumental with the Dickinson Area Catholic School. He was a member of the housing commission, the American Legion Kingsford Post 363, and the Kingsford Senior Center Board. He was also a member and past officer of the Knights of Columbus and numerous other boards and committees in Iron Mountain and Kingsford. John loved working with wood and rebuilding old and damaged furniture. He also enjoyed helping his son and sons- in-law remodel their homes. John loved to fish and being outdoors. He enjoyed helping his wife in the garden and taking day trips with his wife and grandchildren. John is survived by his wife, Dorothy; one son, Roger (Pam) Mente of Cincinnati; two daughters, Marie (Jim) Blanton of Kingsford, and Cindy (Larry) Steele of Breitung Township; two sisters, Mary Provencher of Kingsford and Louise "Wib" Mente of Iron Mountain; one brother, Raymond (Julie) Mente of Shawano, Wis.; five grandchildren, Sean (Dawn) Blanton of Delavan, Wis., Christopher of (Aymie) Blanton of Ponte Verde, Fla., Cassie Steele of Breitung Township, Jeffrey Steele of Breitung Township, and Dan (Melissa) Willis of Florida; four great- grandchildren, Kirstin Blanton, Myah Blanton, Marrissa Willis, and Maia Willis; one brother-in-law, Richard (Jane) Ouimette of Arizona; his special friends, Sandy and Steve Orchard and their daughters, Sara and Sabrina and many nieces and nephews. John was also a great-grandfather to three foreign exchange students that Sean and Dawn Blanton sponsored from Switzerland, Belgium, and Thailand. John was preceded in death by a son, Jeff Mente on Dec. 28, 1989; three brothers, Joseph, Bernard and Paul Mente; two brothers-in-law, Donald Provencher and LeRoy (Catherine) Ouimette. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home. The American Legion Kingsford Post 363 will conduct a military service at 5:30 p.m., the Knights of Columbus will recite the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and the parish prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Visitation will also be Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church. Fr. Joseph Gouin will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Condolences to the family of John J. Mente may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com John Mente will be remembered for his love of God and people, his quick wit and his abounding patience. He had the ability to talk with you with love and understanding, and not talk down to you . He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. God has taken a great man home. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

John Mente

January 6, 2008