Obituary
Ishpeming, MI- Joseph Garth Rayome, age 58 Ishpeming resident passed away from highly aggressive cancer on Friday, June 04, 2010 at his home under the care of his wife and UP Home Health & Hospice.
Joe was born August 28, 1951 in Green Bay, WI to the late Ernest & Beatrice (Pilz) Rayome. He served during the Vietnam Conflict with the Navy Security Group from 1969-1974 and was stationed at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam from 1972-1974.
Joe received his Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and his Master's of Science in Physical Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He worked as a microbiologist and chemist (water treatment), operator-in-charge (distribution) and senior systems administrator (purification and distribution) for the City of Milwaukee Water Works, retiring to Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 2006. He was an active member of the American Legion with General Charles King Post 406 in Milwaukee and Lillian Larson Post 114 in Greenwood, Michigan, and of the Legion's honor society, the 40 & 8. He served as Adjutant and Commander of Post 406, Adjutant of Post 114, the UP's 12th District Commander from 2008-2009 and 12th District Service Officer from 2009-2010. Joe's hobbies included woodworking, model railroading, photography and philately. Joe was co-coordinator of Ishpeming SHARE from November, 2006 until his death. Over the course of twenty-five years of marriage, he graciously shared his home with sixteen formerly stray felines.
Joe is survived by his wife, Maureen LaWent; son, Benjamin (Laura) Rayome and grandchildren, Jake, Ethan, and Connor, of Waupaca, WI; sisters Mary Jo Mellen of Green Bay and Ardy (Roger) Schmitz of Muscogee, OK; numerous nieces and nephews; and five cats.
Visitation for Joe will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 from 2:00-4:00PM e.d.t at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming, with military honors conducted by the American Legion Lillian Larson Post at 3:00PM.
A luncheon will be held at the Lillian Larson Post following the visitation, with a prayer service beforehand given by Fr. Greg Heikkala.
Interment will take place in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin on Thursday, June 10, 2010.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either the 40 & 8's Nurse's Training Scholarship Fund, c/o Voiture 599, American Legion Post 44, Attn: Ron Pearson, 700 West Bluff Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or to the Companion Animal Fund of Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, F-130 Veterinary Medical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Joe's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where his guest book may be signed.
Joe was born August 28, 1951 in Green Bay, WI to the late Ernest & Beatrice (Pilz) Rayome. He served during the Vietnam Conflict with the Navy Security Group from 1969-1974 and was stationed at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam from 1972-1974.
Joe received his Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and his Master's of Science in Physical Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He worked as a microbiologist and chemist (water treatment), operator-in-charge (distribution) and senior systems administrator (purification and distribution) for the City of Milwaukee Water Works, retiring to Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 2006. He was an active member of the American Legion with General Charles King Post 406 in Milwaukee and Lillian Larson Post 114 in Greenwood, Michigan, and of the Legion's honor society, the 40 & 8. He served as Adjutant and Commander of Post 406, Adjutant of Post 114, the UP's 12th District Commander from 2008-2009 and 12th District Service Officer from 2009-2010. Joe's hobbies included woodworking, model railroading, photography and philately. Joe was co-coordinator of Ishpeming SHARE from November, 2006 until his death. Over the course of twenty-five years of marriage, he graciously shared his home with sixteen formerly stray felines.
Joe is survived by his wife, Maureen LaWent; son, Benjamin (Laura) Rayome and grandchildren, Jake, Ethan, and Connor, of Waupaca, WI; sisters Mary Jo Mellen of Green Bay and Ardy (Roger) Schmitz of Muscogee, OK; numerous nieces and nephews; and five cats.
Visitation for Joe will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 from 2:00-4:00PM e.d.t at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming, with military honors conducted by the American Legion Lillian Larson Post at 3:00PM.
A luncheon will be held at the Lillian Larson Post following the visitation, with a prayer service beforehand given by Fr. Greg Heikkala.
Interment will take place in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin on Thursday, June 10, 2010.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to either the 40 & 8's Nurse's Training Scholarship Fund, c/o Voiture 599, American Legion Post 44, Attn: Ron Pearson, 700 West Bluff Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or to the Companion Animal Fund of Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, F-130 Veterinary Medical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Joe's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where his guest book may be signed.
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