Ely Twp. - Garfield E. Kintgen, age 97, of 4306 US Highway 41 West, Ishpeming passed away on Friday, October 7, 2016 at his home in Ely Twp. while under the loving care of Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice.

Garfield was born July 1, 1919 in Gaastra, MI the son of the late Eugene and Beryl (Gallup) Kintgen. He grew up in Gaastra and was a graduate of the Stambaugh High School. After High School he moved to Snowville Loc. And had worked for the Upper Peninsula Power Co. He went on to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater on the Island of Okinawa. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps., he returned to the Upper Peninsula and was employed by the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., working as an electrician at various mining properties, retiring from the Tilden Mine in 1982. Garfield had also spent 17 years in the Michigan National Guard retiring as Sgt. Major.

Garfield had married the love of his life Sylvia A. Mackey in 1943. He enjoyed time spent hunting and fishing but his true passion was vegetable gardening and when it came to harvest time he would give most his vegetables to friends.

Survivors include 2 sons – Bruce (Vicky) Kintgen of Wylie, TX and Dale (Kay) Kintgen of Littleton, CO, sister Betty Ilhenfeldt of Taylor, MI, grandchildren – Michael and Mark Kintgen, great grandchildren Gunar, Nicholas, Mark, Gabriela and Athena along with nephews Robert Lundquist and Larry Ilhenfeldt. He was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia in 1973, grandchildren - Todd Alan Kintgen and Lori (Lee) Olli and a sister Lenore Lundquist.

The Kintgen family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00am – 1:00pm on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Funeral Services will follow at 1:00pm on Friday at Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with Sister Margey Schmeltze to officiate. Military Honors will be accorded at the conclusion of the services by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UPAWS at upaws.org or to the Ishpeming Senior Center, 320 S. Pine St., Ishpeming, MI 49849, or UP Home Health and Hospice, 510 Mather Ave., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Garfield's obituary may also 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 .