Ishpeming – Kenneth E. Millimaki, age 79 of 195 Silver St., West Ishpeming, passed away on Saturday August 18, 2007 at 11:40am at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming where he had been a patient for the past 4 days, and had been in ill health for the past 6 months.


Kenneth was born October 2, 1927 in Ishpeming the son of the late Matt and Hilda (Korby) Millimaki. Kenny was a lifelong area resident and was a former Ski-Jumper having jumped the famed Suicide Hill. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying the woods, fishing and especially deer hunting, which he did up until a few years ago. He also enjoyed horseshoe's and bowling in his earlier years.


Kenny had worked for the Inland Steel Co. at the Morris Mine in North Lake as an underground miner. Following its closure he worked various construction jobs including the construction of some of the area mines. He had also worked at the KI Sawyer Air Base doing snow plowing in the winter months. He went on to work for Northern Michigan University as an equipment operator in the grounds dept. for 26 years until his retirement. Kenneth had served in the Michigan National Guard with the 107th Engineering Battalion.


Survivors include his wife of 55 years, H. Florence (Hendrickson) Millimaki of West Ishpeming; a son Kevin Lee (Cheryl) Millimaki of Marquette; 2 grandchildren – Andrea May Millimaki and Kenneth Lee Millimaki both of Marquette; half-brothers – Bernie (Anu) Millimaki of Mound, MN, Richard (Marilyn) Millimaki of Ishpeming and David Millimaki of Marquette; along with a special uncle Roy (Emily) Millimaki of West Ishpeming. He was preceded in death by a son Gary Millimaki in 2004.


Funeral services will be held at 6:00pm on Tuesday August 21, 2007 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with the Rev. Warren Geier to officiate. Interment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee Twp.


Friends may call at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home from 5:00pm until the time of services on Tuesday.