Ishpeming – Douglas J. LaFond, age 80 of 418 Junction St., Ishpeming passed away peacefully on Thursday January 1, 2009 at his home in Ishpeming.

Doug was born in Ishpeming, Michigan on July 29, 1928, the son of the late William and Frieda (Kelly) LaFond. He was a graduate of Ishpeming High School. He worked for C.C.I. at several area mines, retiring from the Tilden Mine as a pitman crane operator in 1987, after 42 years. Douglas was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Ishpeming.

Douglas enjoyed camping at Van Riper State Park during the summers along with gardening, feeding the birds and watching the deer. In his earlier years, Douglas enjoyed fishing and hunting. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren.

Douglas is survived by his wife of 59 ½ years, Janet (LaJoie) LaFond of Ishpeming, daughters: Mary (Gordon) Wittler of Marquette, Jean (Dennis) Trudgeon of Ishpeming, sons: Douglas (Patti) LaFond of Negaunee, Dennis (Kathy) LaFond of Pellston, a brother: K. Don "Bud" LeChevalier of Howell, MI, 8 grandchildren: Karen Gilreath, Rachael White, Erin Canning, Janel LaBelle, Eric Trudgeon, Sara Trudgeon, Amy Anderson, and Jenny Holmgren, 4 step-grandchildren: Nathan Trudgeon, Amanda Huffaker, Quinn Tremble, and Kristin Keller, and 21 great grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held at Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming at 4:00PM on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 with Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives from 2:00PM until the time of services. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ernest Lajoie, Robert LaJoie, Dennis Trudgeon, Eric Trudgeon, Gordon Wittler, and Edward Canning.