Ishpeming – Earl E. Roberts, age 96, longtime Ishpeming resident, died on Friday June 18, 2010 at the Mather Nursing Center in Ishpeming Twp. where he had resided for the past 2 ½ years.


Earl was born June 25, 1913 in National Mine, the son of Samuel and Bessie (Dymond) Roberts. He grew up in National Mine where he enjoyed playing softball and ski jumping on neighborhood hills. Earl was a graduate of National Mine High School, Class of 1931. In 1934 he was a member of a softball team that won its way to the World's Fair, where they were defeated. Also, on July 14, 1934 he married Joann Aho and later moved to Ishpeming.

Earl was employed by the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. for 30 years. He worked at the Cliff's Shaft Mine in Ishpeming until it closed, and then retired as a supervisor from the Republic Mine in Republic. He was an active member of the Bethel Lutheran Church of Ishpeming where he had been on the church council and a member of the Sr. Choir and the Men's choir. He was also a member of the IOOF and SPEBSQSA. Earl enjoyed hunting, fishing, picking blueberries and spending time at his camp on Big Perch Lake. He especially loved having his family there and singing and playing music with friends.


Survivors include a daughter, Mary (Neil) Rundman, and a son, Kevin (Laura) Roberts both of Ishpeming. Earl's grandchildren and great grandchildren are Dale A. (Susan) Roberts, Allan and Jacob of Midlothian, VA. Daniel (Wendy) Roberts and Erika of Ishpeming; Douglas Roberts of Ishpeming; Beth Roberts (Drew Starenko), Rosalie and Ivan of Rock Island, IL; Meredith Roberts (Dag Juhlin), Sophie and Kai of Woodstock, IL; L. Jay Roberts (Susan Spaulding), Anja and Maija of Petaluma, CA; Jonathan (Dawn) Rundman, Paavo and Svea of Edina, MN; Timothy Rundman of Marquette; Rebecca (Ryan) Amundson and Bryn of Green Bay, WI; Jeremy Roberts of Ishpeming, Jennifer (Michael) Williams, Jackson and waiting for the birth of Emerson of Ishpeming; and Katherine Roberts of Cedar Falls, IA. He is also survived by two daughters-in-law, Beatrice (James) Williams of Marquette and Marlys Roberts of Negaunee, and a special niece, Rosalie Alderton of National Mine. He was preceded in death by his wife Joann, and his sons Dale E. Roberts and the Rev. Lance Roberts.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday June 22, 2010 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.


The family will receive friends from 9:30am until 11:00am on Tuesday at Bethel Lutheran Church.


Pallbearers will be Earl's grandsons.