Ely Twp- Keith Roberts, 71, of 714 County Road CN, (Ely Twp) Champion, passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

Keith was born June 21, 1939 in Ishpeming and attended Ishpeming High School class of 1957. He joined the Navy from 1956-1960 and then came back to Marquette where he joined the Marquette City Police Department as Harbor Master at Presque Isle and then a patrol man. Keith then went to work for the Marquette County Sheriffs Department
as a Deputy Sheriff and worked his way up to Detective Sergeant. He then started his own Siding and Roofing business until he and his wife owned and ran the Main Street Cafe in Iron River until his retirement.


Keith was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to rabbit hunt and deer hunt in the winter months. In the summer he spent many hours fishing on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan with his family and friends. He belonged to the Republic rabbit club and enjoyed going to gun shows. He loved to go to all his kids and grand children's sporting events.

Survived by his wife Linda Roberts (Melka), sister Donna Ranta (Roberts) of Ishpeming, 10 children: Michael (Judy) Roberts of Borger Texas, Kim (David) Murphy of Warren Michigan, Sandra (William) Perala of Gwinn, Glenn (Lana) Roberts of Ishpeming,
John (Lisa) Mattila of Ishpeming, David Mattila of Ishpeming, Tracy Nelson and Daren Grobar of Marquette, Lynn Mattila and Jon Carlson of Champion, Brenda (Jesse) Wescher of Champion, and Brian (Ronda) Mattila of Champion. 29 grandchildren and 12
great grandchildren that he loved along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. He leaves a special friend Ross (Carol) Tresseder of Iron River.

Proceeded in death by mother and father Violet and Glenn Roberts, Mother and Father-in-law Rose and Roy Melka, Grandparents John and Elizabeth Johns, brother-in -laws Donald Ranta and Roy Melka and Great Grandchild John Conner Tioran.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00pm on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with Deacon David Adler officiating. Interment will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home on Thursday from 2:00-4:00pm. Military Honor will be conduct by the Vietnam Veteran of America Chapter 380 following the funeral service.

A luncheon will be held at the Ishpeming V.F.W. following the funeral service.

A special thanks to Lake Superior Hospice and Dr. Lloyd Hooper.

Keith's obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where his guest book may be signed.