Ely Twp.- Lee A. Hamari, age 51 of 11486 B. US Hwy 41 Champion (Ely Twp) passed away unexpectedly on Monday January 19, 2015 at his home.

Lee was born January 25, 1963 in Waukegan, IL to Donald R. & Judith R. (Hyry) Hamari. He graduated from Westwood High School, class of 1981 and graduated from Northern Michigan University receiving a bachelor degree in industrial education. Lee was a carpenter by trade working along side his father for Don's Homes and later in Energy Sales.

During Lee's youth he was involved with youth wrestling and in high school he participated in and excelled in basketball and football and continued to play football at NMU. Lee enjoyed the outdoors where he found enjoyment fishing, hunting and trapping. More recently Lee was an excellent pool player, playing in local pool leagues and participating in pool tournaments throughout the UP. He was an avid Packer, Tigers and University of Michigan fan. Lee volunteered for the Michigan Youth Corp. Lee will be greatly missed especially by his nieces and nephews whom he loved to be with.

Lee is survived by his parents Donald & Judith Hamari of Ely Twp, 2 sisters: Denise (Ken Brice) Hamari of Green Bay and Diane (Brian) LaFreniere of Allendale, MI, nieces and nephews: Jamie (Travis) Borkovec, Eric Lentz, Cory (Christine) Lentz, Jennifer LaFreniere, Brian LaFreniere Jr., Isabella LaFreniere, a great niece, Riley Borkovec, special Aunt & Uncle Jewel & Doug Duhame along with Aunts & Uncles: Ruth Fredin, Ronald (Mildred) Hamari, Nancy Lepisto, Darlene (Larry) Arsenault and Pat Hyry. Lee was preceded in death by his grandparents: Eino & Ellen Hyry, Matt & Tyne Hamari, Aunts & Uncles: Frank Hyry, Eleanor and Bill Robinson, June & Arne Eliason, Alfred Fredin and Jack Lepisto.

Lee's family will greet relatives and friends from 3:00-4:00pm on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Ishpeming where a Memorial Service will be held at 4:00pm with Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating. Interment will take place in the Champion Cemetery at a later date.

A luncheon will be held in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Lee's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .