Ishpeming- Edward Frank Niemi, age 54 passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday October 20, 2015.

Edward was born September 7, 1961 in Ishpeming to John & Joan (Anderson) Niemi. Ed graduated from Ishpeming High School, class of 1979. While in high school Ed participated in wrestling and received All UP & All State honors as a member of the Hematite Football team.

Ed worked at the Great Lakes Naval base in North Chicago, IL in the MWR department before relocating back to Ishpeming in 1996. Ed was a hard worker; he worked as a service manager at Swick Plumbing and Heating. Ed loved spending time with his "grandcreatures" and loved to be out at Pike Lake at camp. Ed would give the shirt off his back for anyone who needed it. He was always willing to go without if it meant helping someone else.

Ed was a member of the Ishpeming Elks Lodge BPOE # 447 for many years and was Exalted Ruler from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007. Ed really enjoyed dressing up as the Easter Bunny and Santa for the holiday events at the Elks Lodge and as Holmes the dog for MWR in IL. Ed was a long time Hematite football fan and was deeply involved in the Marquette County Youth Football program for many years. He loved to play cribbage. Ed was very patriotic. He will be missed by many.

Ed is survived by his children, Nate aka "Margaret" Niemi of Marquette and Brooke aka "Bruce" (Chris) Letson of Neenah, WI, grandcreatures Taylor and Caleb Letson, his parents John and Joan Niemi, brothers: Douglas Niemi, Scott (Barbara) Niemi, Darryl Niemi, Larry (Helen) Niemi, Jon Abba, David Niemi, Sid Niemi, Ronald (Linda) Niemi, Daryl Niemi, lifelong best friend Jimmie Chaperon, special friend Helene Noething of Antioch, IL, former mother in law Linda St. Aubin, former wife Cathy Ann Niemi, along with several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his Aunt Elizabeth "Lala" and Uncle Harold Charboutet, His god parents Eleanor and Robert "Brownie" Brown. His former in laws Emil St. Aubin, Joann and Tom Remillard.

A Celebration of Life Mass will take place at 4:00 PM on Thursday October 29, 2015 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with Fr. Larry Van Damme officiating.

Ed's family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00-4:00pm on Thursday October 29th at St. Johns Catholic Church where the Ishpeming ELKS Lodge will honor Ed with their memorial service at 2:00pm.

A potluck luncheon will follow the service at the K/D Hall at St. Johns Church.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the handicap children through the Ishpeming Elks Lodge in Ed's name.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .