Lyle Zablocki

KINGSFORD - Lyle Phillip Zablocki, 81, a longtime resident of Kingsford, entered the gates of his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at Dickinson County Healthcare Facility in Iron Mountain. Lyle was born on May 10, 1926 in Kingsford, son of the late Paul and Stella (Loyd) Zablocki. After graduating from Kingsford High School in 1943, Lyle enlisted in the Army Air Corps in December of 1943, at the age of 17. Corporal Zablocki served his country as an aerial gunner in the 313th Bombardier Wing of the Army Air Corps in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged with the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal in November of 1946. After the service, Lyle attended a design engineer school and for 41 years he worked for Lake Shore as a design engineer, retiring in 1990. On November 25, 1948 Lyle was united in marriage to Mildred "Midge" Sadowitz and raised a beautiful family of eight children. She preceded him in death in 1986. Lyle was a member of American Martyrs Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Some of Lyle's many hobbies included sports, playing cards, reading, casinos, hunting and fishing. Lyle coached his six son's little league teams (D.A.V. and New York Life) for ten years, and was instrumental in developing the Lodal baseball field. During hunting season, Lyle would give his grandsons money to play poker and then would try to win it all back. Lyle is survived by his eight children: six sons, Lyle M. (Sharon) of Marquette, Tim M. (Toni Rae) of Granite Bluff, Allan L. (Jan) of Kingsford, Stephan P. (Kathy) of Littleton, CO, Tony (Becky) of Chester Springs, PA and Guy P. of Grand Rapids, MI; two daughters, Mary Ann (Karl) Kindschi of Portage, WI and Susan K. (Rob) Carlson of Marquette; 18 grandchildren, Kara, Kristen, Anne and Neal Kindschi, Mindy Rae (Derrick) Gamburg, Maegan, Alex, Abbi, Christopher (fiance Jessica), Casey, Cyle, Emily (Tom) Ellenbocker, Maureen and Fred Mitchell, Courtney and Kevin Carlson, and Lillie and Cooper; four great grandchildren, Marchelle, Mykayla, Ethan and Stuart. He will be fondly remembered by his special friends Dean and Mary Geronomi, Nat Meyer, and Angie Raffin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd and sisters, Pauline Cheetam and Florence Beauchamp. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 to 7:30pm at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Parish prayers will be recited on Friday at 7:30pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be Saturday at 10am at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Father Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Lyle's grandsons. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Lyle Zablocki online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com . The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements. Heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the many wonderful people that helped Lyle make the transition from his home on earth to his Heavenly Father's home with dignity and grace. These people include the staff at Evergreen Assisted Living, DCH Hospice, Father Joe Gouin, Dr. Valdez and staff at Maryhill Manor.