Alphonse Cerasoli

Alphonse Duane Cerasoli, 77, of Breitung Township, died Tues. April 26, 2011 at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. He was born on July 18, 1933 in Iron Mountain, the son of the late Faust and Bernice (Zoromski) Cerasoli. Duane graduated Iron Mountain High School in 1951, where he played football, baseball, and tennis. As a teenager he was active in the Kiwanis Ski Club. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War. He was a radioman on the Destroyer, U.S.S. Twining. After he left the service he married Marianne Cerasoli. He graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in education in Business and economics in 1961. He earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology in 1963 from the University of Illinois and his Doctoral degree in higher education, community college education and administration from Nova Southeastern University in 1988. Duane became a Licensed Practical Counselor in Illinois and Michigan. He worked as a business teacher, counselor, and director of counseling for the Community High School District 218 in Blue Island, IL. He later was a professor of Counseling and Psychology at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL for twenty-seven years. In 1993-1994 he was honored as Outstanding Faculty member by his peers. He belonged to the Illinois Counseling Association, the Michigan Counseling Association, and the American Counseling Association. Alphonse married Donna Piersma in Sugar Grove, IL in 1988. The couple moved to Crystal Falls in 1995, after he retired in 1994. In 2006, they moved back to Alphonse’s hometown of Iron Mountain. After many years of heart disease, Alphonse received at heart transplant in May of 2000 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee. He was a member of the Iron Mountain transplant support group and he also worked with the Gift of Life in Ann Arbor, MI. He enjoyed doing research on his computer, fishing, reading, and playing with his Golden Retrievers. He also attended American Martyrs Catholic Church. Alphonse is survived by his wife Donna of Breitung Township, three sons Christopher (Jill) Cerasoli of Elmhurst, IL, Mark Cerasoli of Crestwood, IL, and Michael Cerasoli of Kansas City, KS, and two granddaughters Kimberly Dale Cerasoli of New Lennox, IL and Jade Marie Cerasoli of Elmhurst, IL. Visitation will be Sun. from 2-4pm at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 Mon. at American Martyrs Catholic Church. Father Joseph Gouin will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the American Heart Association 3816 Paysphere Circle Chicago, IL 60674 or the Gift of Life in Ann Arbor, MI 3861 Research Park Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48108-2217 Condolences to the family of Alphonse Duane Cerasoli may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.

Alphonse Cerasoli

April 26, 1934 - April 26, 2011