Ishpeming – Craig J. Sunne, age 62 of 672 Mather Ave., Ishpeming was at peace when he went to be with the Lord, with his family by his side on Sunday July 19, 2009 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He had suffered with the horrible lung disease pulmonary fibrosis for the past four years.

Craig was born December 28, 1946 in St. Paul, MN the son of the late John and Edna (Westerlund) Sunne. Craig moved to Negaunee at a young age with his family, and was a 1965 graduate of the Negaunee High School. He went on to attend Northern Michigan University, receiving a B.S. degree in 1969. While at Northern he worked for Dr. Robinson as an assistant on a Spruce Grouse project in the Yellow Dog Plains in 1966. In 1967 he worked at the Republic Mine. Following his graduation, Craig taught 7th grade science for a year in Oconto, WI. He returned to this area in 1970, and worked at Acocks Medical Care Facility in the Maintenance Dept. until 1976. He moved on to work at the Presque Isle Power Plant (WE Energies) from 1977 until the present time, most recently as a water plant operator.

Craig was a member of the United Evangelical Covenant Church. He had many interests and hobbies including gardening (especially vegetables), reading, hunting, fishing, traveling and was a talented woodworker. He took pleasure in nature, music, cooking and baking. Craig was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and was active in his church which he thoroughly enjoyed. He had served on the Cemetery Board for the City of Ishpeming.

Craig is survived by his wife of 22 years: Cheryl L. (Heliste) Sunne of Ishpeming, daughters: Lisa (Mike) Haines of Gladstone, April Kellow of Marquette, sisters: Jean (Tom) Shroeger of Florida, Barb (Fred) Torreano of Negaunee, special grandchildren: Ashley Fortin & Ryan Haines, brothers-in-law: Cliff Heliste of Ishpeming and Douglas Heliste of Ishpeming, an aunt: Evelyn Goulette of Negaunee, special friend Sherry Perkins, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends, whom he was a good friend to. Craig is preceded in death by his parents, and several aunts and uncles.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 6:00PM at the United Evangelical Covenant Church in Ishpeming with Craig's special friend Rev. Terry Cathcart to officiate. Craig's family will greet friends and relatives from 5:00PM until the time of services at the church. A luncheon will follow the services at the church and inurnment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Craig's memory to the American Lung Association National Headquarters 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20004 or at www.lungusa.org