Michigamme - Bernard "Bernie" Francis Marketty, age 67, of HCR 1, Box 960, Michigamme, died unexpectedly early on July 20, 2011. He was born January 4, 1944 in Marquette the son of the late Francis and Agnes (White) Marketty. Bernie married Sandra (Luke) Marketty in 1965 in Santa Barbara, California. This year they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

Bernie graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1962. He was a member of the Blue Notes and Ishpeming ski team. He graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1970 with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering.


Bernie enjoyed a 29-year career with Sundstrand Corporation working on programs including a two-year stay in England contracted by Marconi Corporation. He started his career with Sundstrand working in the machine tool division on the first ever fully computerized automated machining system in the world. He then transitioned to the nuclear fuel handling systems, working on various nuclear reactors. Bernie then moved to the torpedo propulsion system where he spent the majority of his career working on British (Royal Navy) and U.S. advanced propulsion systems. He enjoyed a yearlong project working on the auxiliary power units for the Space Shuttle Program. Bernie's career concluded at Sundstrand as an Engineering Manager for the underwater propulsion systems.


Bernie's life long dream was to renovate his 1909 cottage named Sacajawea located on beautiful Lake Michigamme. Bernie and Sandy had many years of enjoyment in their dream house. Bernie was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed boating on Lake Michigamme with his family and friends. He also enjoyed cheering along the Green Bay Packers. His family and friends will miss Bernie very much.


Bernie is survived by his wife, Sandra (Luke) Marketty of Michigamme, two sons, Wade Marchetti of Oregon, IL and Craig Marketty (Jeff Polaski) of St. Thomas V.I. and one daughter Ann (nee Marketty) Wingate and her husband Kevin Wingate of Holly Springs, NC; a daughter-in-law Nicole (Johnson) Marchetti of Oregon, IL, sisters include Jeanann (Jerry) Moore and Pauline (Robert) Best, mother-in-law Leona Luke, brother-in-law Randy and Marge Luke of Michigamme, five grandchildren; Alyssa Marchetti, Dominic Marchetti, Anthony Marchetti, Victoria Marchetti and Spencer Wingate along with several nieces and nephews. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents Francis John Marketty and Agnes (White) Marketty, a granddaughter Hope Wingate, father-in-law Marvin Luke, a sister Donna (Marketty) Garceau, brother-in-law Kenny Garceau, niece Laura Garceau, nephews, Daryl Garceau and Todd Luke.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 2 – 4pm on Sunday July 24, 2011 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. A memorial services will follow at 4:00pm on Sunday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. A luncheon will follow the services in the KD Hall at St. John's Catholic Church in Ishpeming.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Bernie be made to the Michigamme Museum, 110 W. Main St., Michigamme, MI 49861 or The Michael J. Fox, Parkinson Foundation, online at www.michaeljfox.org or via mail - The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780. Please ask to include acknowledgement be sent to the family Sandra Marketty, HCR-1, Box 960, Michigamme, MI 49861.