Negaunee – Alex H. Kyllonen, age 79 of 43 Old Co. Rd. 480 in Negaunee Twp. passed away Saturday December 13th, 2008 at the Mather Nursing Center in Ishpeming Twp. where he had resided for the last 3 months.

Alex was born April 5, 1929 in Iron River, MI to Thomas and Amanda (Piirainen) Kyllonen. Alex was a member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church of Negaunee. He worked for many years at the Presque Isle Power Plant for the Upper Peninsula Power Co., retiring in 1993. Alex enjoyed fishing and was an animated storyteller.

Alex is survived by five children – Carlene (William) Liubakka of Superior, WI, Cathy (Steven) Erola of Esko, MN, Curtis Kyllonen of Negaunee, Cory (Andrea) Kyllonen of Anoka, MN and Cindy (Wesley) DeGarmo of Marquette, 10 grandchildren and one to be in January, Ian (Vanessa), Lindsey, Molly, Kristine, Nils, Ryan, Tyler, Taylor, Ari and Wesley Jr. and a step granddaughter Danielle, 3 sisters – Fannie Ruuska of Marquette, Agnes Johnson of Kenosha, WI and Elaine Laakso of Marquette, 2 brothers – Edwin Kyllonen of Negaunee and Leonard Kyllonen of Negaunee. Alex also had numerous nieces and nephews and a host of brothers and sisters in faith. He was preceded in death by his wife Verna in November of 2007, his parents Thomas and Amanda, sisters - Lempi Laakso, Ann Johnson, Edna Nuutinen, and brothers - Wayne, John and William Kyllonen.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday December 16, 2008 at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, Co. Rd. 492, Negaunee with Dale Kemp to officiate. Interment will be at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp.

The family will greet friends and relatives on Monday Dec. 15, 2008 from 5:00 until 8:00pm at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Negaunee and again from 12:00noon until 1:00pm on Tuesday.

Pallbearers will be grandsons – Nils and Ian Seppanen, Tyler Kyllonen, Ryan Erola along with nephews Kelly Laakso and Jerry Kyllonen.