Roy LaVarnway

Roy J. LaVarnway, 80, of 245 Roseland in Kingsford, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010, at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford. He was born Oct. 24, 1930, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Harold and Alice (Quinn) LaVarnway. Roy graduated from Kingsford High School in 1948 and lived in the area for most of his life. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a member of the American Legion Post 363 in Kingsford. He married Noleen Bratton on June 14, 1952, at American Martyrs Catholic Church. Roy was self- employed as a barber and ran his business for more than 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was a member of American Martyrs Church and served as an usher. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, walleye fishing, and spending time at camp. Roy was a Packer backer and a life-long Chicago Cubs fan. He also was a Kingsford Flivver fan and enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting and extra-curricular events. Roy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Noleen; a son,Michael (Heather) LaVarnway of Kingsford; a daughter, Laurie Johnson of Iron Mountain; a daughter-in-law, Jodi LaVarnway of Iron Mountain; seven grandchildren, Brooke and Ashlee Johnson, Jamie LaVarnway, and Justin, Ethan, Nolan and Allison LaVarnway; a great-grandson, Collin Punzel; a sister, Phyllis (Bob) DiBiase of Kenosha, Wis.; two brothers-in-law, Virgil Bratton and Clayton Clement; two sisters-in-law, Faye LaVarnway and Irene Brattonl and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, David LaVarnway; a son-in-law, Tom Johnson; a brother, Jim LaVarnway; two sisters, Verna and Gladys; and two brothers-in-law, Sherman Bratton and Walter Sloop. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. The American Legion Post 363 will conduct military graveside honors. Pallbearers will be George Groeneveld, Duane and Dale Blagec, Clark Linn, Dan Cahee and Scott Celello. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald Taff and Ray Racette. Condolences to the family of Roy J. LaVarnway can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with arrangements.

Roy LaVarnway

December 25, 1930 - December 25, 2010