Republic – Bernhard "Ben" Mattson, age 80, of 7600 Bengston Rd., Republic passed away Wednesday morning, Feb 3, 2010 surrounded by family & in the care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.


Ben was born Feb. 7, 1929 in Republic to the late Jalmer & Evelyn Mattson. He was a graduate of the Republic High School, Class of 1947. He served in United States Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Grant-Nyman VFW Post #5014, a retired member of the Republic Twp. Fire Dept. and several different clubs throughout his life.


Ben worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. as a heavy equipment operator at the Republic Mine until his transfer to the Empire Mine where he retired from after over 30 years of service.


Ben is survived by his wife of 54 years, Virginia (Shepherd) Mattson of Republic, his daughter and son-in-law – Melinda and John Hawkins of Branch, MI, daughter Melanie Mattson of Golden, CO, grandson David (Janine) Hawkins of Naples, FL, granddaughter Tara (Gary) Kluth of Fountain, MI, great granddaughters – Holly & Haley Hawkins & Hannah Kluth, a sister Irja Hendrickson, sister-in-law – Dianne Sirtola, brothers-in-law Donald (Margaret) Shepherd, Dennis Shepherd, Wayne (Peggy) Shepherd, Ray Maki, and Mike Maki. Ben was preceded in death by sisters Ruth & Melba Maki, brother-in-laws – Joel "Buddy" Sirtola, Pete Hendrickson and Vernon Shepherd.


No services will be held at this time, a family celebration of Ben's life will be held in July, he will be buried in the Republic Cemetery.


Memorials may be directed to Republic Community Services or St. Vincent de Paul in Republic.