Ishpeming – John W. Salo, age 71, of 17 Dove Lane, Ely Twp. passed away on Tuesday October 5, 2010 at his home following a courageous 9 month battle with cancer. John was under the loving care of his family and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice at the time of his death.


John was born June 10, 1939 in Ishpeming, the son of the late Walter and Marie (Bjorne) Salo. He was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1957. After graduation he relocated to Waukegan, IL where he worked as an auto mechanic. In 1973 he moved his family back to Ishpeming and was employed at C.C.I. John was a maintenance supervisor in the Truck Shop at the Tilden Mine, retiring in 2002 after 28 years with the company.


John was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and a former member of the Republic Lions Club. He especially enjoyed time spent at camp on Helen Lake, working in his shop, operating his excavating equipment, and building homes for family and friends.


Survivors include his wife Dorothy (Ptasienski) whom he celebrated 49 years of marriage with on June 17th, 4 children – Laurie (Brian) Maki of Marquette; John (Maryl) Salo of Alexandria, VA; Rick (Debbie) Salo of Ishpeming; and Connie (Randy) Perreault of Ishpeming, 11 grandchildren – Lindsey and Alyssa Kellow of Marquette; John Salo of Winona, MN; Ben Salo of Caledonia, MN; Derrin Salo of Tomah, WI; Amanda and Amber Salo of Ishpeming; Ryan, Nathan, Cole and Casey Perreault of Ishpeming, 2 brothers – Kenneth Salo of Republic and Gary (Llewanne) Salo of Ishpeming, 2 sisters – Susan Certo of Ishpeming and Norine Maki of Republic, a step-sister Ruth (Bernie) Warlin of WI, brothers-in-law – Joseph, Daniel, Eugene, Julius, Stanley and Edward Ptasienski, sisters-in-law – Betty Lewis, Annie Massimo, Cecil Stankewicz, Sally Melch and Lorraine Bader, a special friend Dean Carlson along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson Nikolas Kellow, brothers-in-law – Peter Ptasienski Jr., Clyde Certo and Larry Maki, sisters-in-law – Joan Ptasienski and Marion Salo.



The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 – 11:00am on Saturday October 9, 2010 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Saturday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. James Challancin to officiate. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall.


Pallbearers will be Dean Carlson, Dino Massimo, Mark Feldbauer, Bill Champion, Mike Helppi, and Jim Talbacka.


Memorials may be directed to the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice in John's memory.