Ishpeming – Leon A. Rochon Sr., age 88, longtime Ishpeming area resident passed away on Monday, February 8, 2016 at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he had been a resident for the past month.

Leon was born May 10, 1927 in Iron River, MI the son of the late Clarence and Gladys (Way) Rochon. Leon was raised mainly in the Marquette area by his father. He had worked in his teenage years on the Ore Boats with his father and his aunt and uncles restaurant in Ishpeming. He moved in his later teens to Chicago, IL to be with his mother. He enlisted in the United States Navy on Oct. 4, 1944 and had served on the USS Brinkley Bass. Leon reenlisted in the Navy in Dec. of 1947 this time serving stateside as a teleman at the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. Leon returned to Ishpeming following his discharge from the Navy in September of 1950.

Leon became an underground miner with Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. working at several of the area mines where he would set up for the blasting. He went on to become a truck driver at the Tilden Mine, from which he retired in 1990. In retirement he became the secretary for the local United Steelworkers of America retiree division. Leon was an accomplished artist, with paintings on display at the Iron Mining Museum and the Maritime Museum. Leon was a faithful member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees for a number of years. He enjoyed bowling and had been active in local leagues throughout the years.

Survivors include his four children – Bonnie Howe of Clarksburg Loc., Leon (Susie) Rochon Jr. of Grand Junction, CO, Sarah Smith of Gwinn and Donna (Dale) Aho of Clarksburg Loc.; grandchildren – Stacey (Wayne) Filizetti, Jason Aho (Jill Poirier), Jennifer (Mike) Niehaus, Cory (Kathryn) Smith, Lindsey Howe and Adam Aho; 7 great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law Ida Rochon of Negaunee. He was preceded in death by his first wife Carol Rochon in 1987, second wife Leona Rochon in 2011, brother Clarence "Pat" Rochon in 2013, son-in-laws – Edward Howe Jr., in 2005 and Dale Kevin Smith in 2013, and a great granddaughter Amarah Filizetti in 2015.

Leon's family will greet relatives and friends from 12:00noon until 2:00pm on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at the Wesley United Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm on Thursday at the Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. J.J. Mannschreck to officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380 at the conclusion of the services. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall. Entombment will take place at Northland Chapel Gardens.

Leon's obituary may also 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 .