Republic - Eric A. Setala, age 85, longtime Republic resident, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2017 at the UP Health System Bell Hospital.  Eric had been a resident at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility for the past 3 years.

Eric was born May 10, 1931 in Loimaa, Finland to the late Rev. Alpo and Lahja (Hacklin) Setala.  He and his family moved to Republic in 1948 and lived there ever since.  He returned to visit Finland once in 1998 with his daughter, Judy.

Eric worked for several of Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company's local mines; he was a shift supervisor at the Republic Mine and retired as a shovel operator from the Empire Mine in 1988 after 39 years of service to CCI.

Eric was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic and the Republic Sportsman's Club. He always kept a flourishing garden, his tomatoes being his pride and joy.  He loved the outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Eric also enjoyed working on his vehicles, especially his 1948 Willys jeep and his 1962 VW convertible. He loved playing the organ and was permitted to play the ones at Valente's.  His oil paintings of nature scenes and landscapes are near professional.

Eric is survived by 3 children:  Michael (Mildred) Setala of Jacksonville, FL, Judy Setala of Chicago, IL, and Kristine Setala of Marquette, along with several nieces and nephews.  Eric was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Ann, his parents Alpo and Lahja Setala, 3 brothers:  twin brother, Martti, Raimo and Rueben, and 4 sisters:  Elsa Karniala, Kaija Swanson, Marja Lehtinen and Judith Salo.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00-11:00 am on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am, with Rev. Kevin Kaiser officiating.  Interment will take place at the Republic Twp Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow the service in the church hall.

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

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