John W. Alquist

John W. Alquist, 84, of Quinnesec, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Dickinson County Healthcare System. John was born on March 15, 1933 in Iron Mountain, son of the late Walter and Delphine (Labre) Alquist. He has been a lifelong resident of Quinnesec and currently lived with his wife Patricia in his childhood home. John went to grade school in Quinnesec and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1951. While in high school, he was a member of the student council and played football for four years. After graduating, he went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech University. John also served in the United States Army during the Korean war years. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Following his military service, John went to work for Lakeshore Inc. He was employed there for thirty seven years and retired as a senior project engineer. John married the love of his life, Patricia Neuens on March 27, 1979 in Escanaba. He and Patricia enjoyed traveling to Arizona, Las Vegas, Ohio, South Dakota and Colorado. They also visited London, England. John was a member of American Martyrs church in Kingsford. He grew up attending St. Mary's church in Quinnesec and served as an Alter boy and later on the Parish Council. He was extremely active in many community and civic organizations, including, Boy Scout Troop 524 of Quinnesec and the Breitung Twp. Fire Department. John was a member of the US 2 Bypass Committee, the Township Planning Commission and served as the chairman of the Breen Senior Center Council for many years. He headed the Quinnesec Centennial Book Committee for the Centennial in 1976, and in 1996, wrote the last twenty years and republished the Centennial Book. John was past treasurer of the Dickinson County Genealogical Society and was its president for fourteen years. In 2006, he received a lifetime achievement award for his service. He traveled to Bay City, Michigan to receive the State History Award for distinguished service from the Historical Society of Michigan. Besides volunteering, John's hobbies included, doing things with family, history and genealogy. John gathered many old pictures of the Quinnesec area and designed the display that is located at Fumee Falls. He also helped design the memorial to the Quinnesec School that is located at the Township Hall. John is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons, Timothy (Debra) Alquist of Iron Mountain, William (Antonella) Alquist of Lone Tree, CO, David (Carolyn) Alquist of Westminster, CO, Robert (Melody) Alquist of Fort Lupton, CO, William (Wendy) Lake of Breitung Twp. and Steven Lake of Kingsford; Daughters, Betty Aversano of Iron Mountain, Debra Seymour of Marinette, WI and Tina Fetterly of Kingsford; eighteen grandchildren and many great grandchildren; also by many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sisters, Ethel Alquist and Helen Berlinski; brothers, Robert and Phillip Alquist. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017, from 8:30 am to 10:30am at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am at American Martyrs Church. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family of John Alquist online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

John W. Alquist

March 15, 1933 - December 10, 2017