Ishpeming Twp- Arthur Leonard Parkkonen, age 85 of 230 South Daisy Street, Ishpeming, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 13,2011, in the comforting care of his family, after residing at the Mather Nursing Center for 5 days.

Art was born on July 1, 1925 to Mary & Armi Parkkonen in Negaunee. Arthur married the former Ellen Frederickson on July 3, 1948 and they were married for 62 years. He worked for The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company for 43 years retiring in 1987. During his mining career, he worked at the Athens, Mather A, Bunker Hill, Empire, Republic, Mather B and Tilden Mines. Even though Art spent the majority of his life as a Marquette County resident, during the many layoffs he experienced in his career, he worked in Chicago at a factory and also moved his family to Kenosha, WI working for American Motors. He also painted houses for Kroon Construction, worked at K.I.
Sawyer for a construction company and cut pulp for a logging company. He had a very strong work ethic.

Art was a member of Good News Assembly of God church and cherished his many great friends and his church family. This "family" became more important during this past year with all of their love and support. For many years, anyone entering the church, would be greeted by his smiling face, a handshake, and a bulletin. Art had a very strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and loved listening to Gospel music.

Art enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren whom he loved very deeply. In his younger years, he loved to hunt, fish and spend time at his camp south of Ishpeming. In more recent years, he built a workshop in his basement and spent countless hours building keepsakes for his family.

Arthur is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ellen, 3 children, Shirley Boles, Paul (Genny) Parkkonen and Lois (John) Massie, all of Ishpeming - 7 grandchildren, Christopher (Brooke) Boles of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Douglas Boles of Escanaba, Tammy (Richard) Larmour; Paula (Cory) Vial, both of Ishpeming; Brian (Cassie) Parkkonen of Weston, Florida, Bradley Massie of Houghton and Sarah Massie of Ishpeming; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters Lorraine (George) Hancock of Ishpeming, Mary Louise (Bernard) Nicikowski of Racine, WI, and Sharon (Fred) Rivers of Ishpeming, and special brother in-law and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Jean Frederickson of Ishpeming.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary & Armi, mother-in-law & father-in-law, Bertha & Aleck Frederickson, sisters Ruth Hansen, Marjorie Dodge and brothers William, John, George, Donald, and brother-in-law, Rupert Frederickson.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the Good News Assembly of God Church in Ishpeming on Wednesday, February 16 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held following visitation at 6 p.m. with Pastor John Roy officiating. Interment will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery

Pallbearers will be Thomas and Gregory Frederickson, John Stone, David Vial, Bruce Nelson, Larry Ketola and James Lindholm He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Art's obituary may be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where his guestbook may be signed.