Ishpeming – Erwin J. Savala, age 92, longtime National Mine resident passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 10:01 PM while a resident at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee.  He had been under the loving care of his family, staff members at the Eastwood Nursing Center and Lake Superior Hospice at the time of his death.

Erwin was born October 12, 1924 in Ishpeming the son of the late John and Hilda (Snell) Savala.  He was raised in Negaunee and was a graduate of the Negaunee High School, Class of 1943.  Erwin served his country during World War II in the United States Army in the European Theater, and was involved in battles in the Rhineland and Central Europe and received the Meritorious Unit Award.  Following the War, Erwin returned to this area prior to leaving for the Detroit area, where he first attended the Detroit College of Law.   Erwin then began his employment with General Motors and worked for 23 years in the Detroit area, retiring as a plant supervisor in 1984. He returned to this area in 1984, but wintered in Apache Junction, AZ for several years.

Erwin was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, a life member of the Negaunee VFW, and the American Legion of Ishpeming.  He was a Life Member of the Finn Center in Farmington, MI.  In his younger years Erwin enjoyed activities such as golfing, bowling and fishing, along with traveling with his wife and family around the country.

Erwin was preceded in death by his first wife Edith (Keto) Savala in 1992, along with his parents, 2 brothers - Reuben and Gordon Savala, and 2 sisters – Mariam Johnson and Lorraine Beranek.

Survivors include his current wife Marjorie (Gauthier) Savala of Ishpeming, 3 daughters – Susan (Ray) Sutherland of The Villages, FL, Diane L. Savala of Temecula, CA, Lynn (Steve) Lankenau of Temecula, CA, a sister Joyce (Charles) Larson of Ishpeming, 3 grandchildren – Jessica, Jacob and Jamie Lankenau, 2 step-children – Kimberly (Jon) Tapio of Republic and Mark (Mary) Gauthier of Escanaba, along with 5 step-grandchildren – Mark, Dylan & Taylor Gauthier and Jonny and Emily Tapio.

Graveside services will be held at the Ishpeming Cemetery at 11:00am on Monday, June 12, 2017 with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate, Military Honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 380. a luncheon will follow the services at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund, 333 E. Ridge St., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

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