Champion – Donald E. Wolf Sr., age 81 of 320 Co. Rd. AZ in Champion died on Saturday February 14, 2009 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming where he had resident since November of 2008.

Donald was born September 2, 1927 in Ontonagon, MI the son of the late Joseph and Pauline (Saviko) Wolf. He was a graduate of the Ontonagon High School, Class of 1945. Don went on to serve his country in the United States Navy during World War II, in Washington DC as an aviation machinist, being honorably discharged on Sept. 1, 1948. Following his service detail he went on to attend M.T.U. for 2 ½ years. While in the service and at M.T.U. Donald was an excellent boxer. He moved to Champion in 1961 from Ontonagon.

Donald worked for the Iron Workers, Local #8 having been involved with the construction of the Cliffs Shaft, the Lift Bridge in the Copper Country and the Tilden Mine to name a few. Donald retired in 1981 following a work related accident. He was a devote Catholic and a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion where he had many friendships. He also belonged to the Champion Lions Club for many years. Donald enjoyed taking long walks, dancing, scrap booking and taking saunas. Donald worked tirelessly for his family and was proud grandfather and great grandfather.

Survivors include his Wife Mary Ann (Gerzetich) Wolf of Champion, whom he married in 1956, 7 children: Don (Karen) Wolf of Ishpeming, Tim (Deb) Wolf of Champion, Rita (Michael) Dobson of Republic, Lisa Wolf of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Beth Wolf of Palm Bay, FL, Jerome (Gail) Wolf of Champion and Jason (Jill) Wolf of Ishpeming, 11 grandchildren: Jacob Wolf, Eli Wolf, Jessica (Greg) Savitski, Jennifer Pelto, Christopher (fiancée' Carolyn) Szymanski, Eric Szymanksi, Luke Szymanski, Jillayne Szymanski, Joseph (Jana) Dobson, Ashley Wolf and Jayden Wolf, 2 great grandchildren: Emily & Allen Dobson, a brother David (Diane) Wolf of Rock Springs, WY, 2 sisters: Phyllis Taransky of Bismarck, ND and Delores Koehler of Pensacola, FL, his mother in law Katherine Gerzetich of Ontonagon, along with nieces, nephews and sister and brother in laws. Donald was preceded in death by his parents and father in law Frank Gerzetich.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11:00AM on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Champion with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. Inurnment will take place in the Champion Cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday February 17, 2009 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming from 4:00-7:00PM.

Pallbearers will be Donald's grandchildren.

Don's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.