Orville Best

"Orville Best" IRON MOUNTAIN - Orville Kenneth Best, 83, of 904 W. Fleshiem St., Iron Mountain, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Iron Mountain. He was born Nov. 19, 1921, in Iron Mountain, a son of the late Edward and Lillian (Lanney) Best. Orv grew up in the Iron Mountain area and attended school here until he worked for his father, who owned Best Brothers Creamery on River Avenue. Orville enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1941, three days prior to the start of World War II. He served as a medical aidman in the 87th Mountain Infantry and was promoted to corporal in July 1942. He was honorably discharged in October 1945. While serving, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Medical Badge. Upon discharge, he moved to Alton, Ill., where he was employed by Laclede Steel, retiring after 30 years. He then moved back to the Iron Mountain area and married Joyce (Roberts) Pearson on Dec. 5, 1981, at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Orville enjoyed passing time by watching his favorite western and war movies on TV and making trips with Joyce to the casino. He also listened to all the local area high school sports. He especially enjoyed attending his great-grandchildren's basketball, baseball and soccer games. He was also known to make sure he called his granddaughter, Terri, when the Packers or Lions played the Chicago Bears just so he could bet with her. He was also a Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Orv was known for his good sense of humor. There is probably no one in the area he has not touched with his special talent of making people laugh. He was "famous" for his cooking. Amongst many dishes it was hard to beat his delicious chocolate cake and extra-ordinary coleslaw. He willing shared all of his recipes with others. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, and National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, and a former member of the Elks Club and Moose Lodge. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; three daughters, Patricia (Michael) Inglese of Felch, Rose (Gary) Foiles of Shipman, Ill., and Dorothy (Jim) Reis of Wood River, Ill.; one son, William Kenneth (Cindy) Best of Marietta, Ga.; one sister, Lorraine Fontecchio of Iron Mountain; one brother, George (Winifred) Best of Iron Mountain; eight grandchildren, Terri (David) Castelaz, Kevin (Melissa) Krokstrom, Christopher (Angel) Inglese, Melissa Inglese, Michael Inglese, Lori (Victor) Kroeger, Kelly (Joe) Hicks, and Natalie Best; 10 great-grandchildren, Cassandra Treiber, Marcus Treiber, Payton Castelaz, Mackenzie and Cooper Krokstrom, Chrislyn Inglese, Keeton Kroeger, and Tanner, Alexis and Allisa Hicks; special friends, Doug and Julia Krokstrom of Iron Mountain and Kathleen and Marvin Fayas of Iron Mountain; numerous nieces and nephews; and his favorite little girl, his kitty, Lucretia. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Archie, Harold and Edwin Best. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. Pallbearers will be Kevin Krokstrom, Doug Krokstrom, David Castelaz, Marcus Treiber, Michael Inglese and Christopher Inglese. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Orville Best

November 19, 1921 - February 21, 2005