Ishpeming – J. Norman Pennala, age 86 longtime North Lake location and Ishpeming resident passed away peacefully at 4:07pm Wednesday October 22, 2008 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette while surrounded by his loving family.

Norman was born July 19, 1922 in North Lake Location, the son of the late Elias and Hattie (Pyykkonen) Pennala. He was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1940 and attended Northern Michigan University. Norman went on to serve in the United States Army Air Force during World War II with the 8th Weather Squadron, Greenland Base Command, and received the World War II Victory medal. Following his honorable discharge he returned to the Ishpeming area and worked for C.C.I. first at the Chem Lab and then at the Republic Mine as a foreman in the Pellet Plant, retiring in 1984 after 42 years with the company.

He was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, the Ishpeming Elks Lodge, the VASA Lodge, the Clifford W. Jackson American Legion Post#136, and the Dead River Campers Association. He enjoyed everything his grandchildren did, and he loved them dearly and they loved their Bumpa dearly in return. He loved spending time at camp Toysa on the Dead River, and was the Captain of the Riviera Cruiser. Norman was also the self-proclaimed Mayor of North Lake. He had been an active member of the Ishpeming Horseshoe League and enjoyed taking part in area bowling leagues.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years Barbara (Gauthier) Pennala of Ishpeming, 4 children – Gary (Ginny) Pennala of Ishpeming, Jill Pennala of Ishpeming, Cathy (Claude) Kautz of Ishpeming, and John Pennala of Hartland, WI, 2 sisters – Martha Ulrickson of Ishpeming and Viola (Ken) Williams of Ishpeming, 13 grandchildren – Cara (Hugh) Buchanan, Hattie, Danny, Lindsay and Bradley Pennala, Matt Nash, Eric & Jason Marcotte, Casey Rabenold, Gabrielle and Anna-Liisa Kautz, Sierra and Cheyanne Pennala, 2 great grandchildren, Reese and Ryan Buchanan, several nieces & nephews, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sharon & Matt Bjorne of Ishpeming. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Eleanor (Paul) Bennett, sister-in-laws, Lorraine (Albert) Manty, Shirley (Les) Coduti, & Jean (Bill) Raymond, a brother-in-law Norman Gauthier.


The family will greet friends from 2:00 until 3:30pm on Saturday October 25, 2008 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where funeral services will be held at 3:30pm with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons – Eric, Jason, Danny and Matt.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Bethel Lutheran Church or the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans for their wonderful care and compassion shown to Norman and his family while he was a resident.