Ishpeming- Werner "Weiner" C. Maki, age 77 of 361 Washington St. Ishpeming, passed away Thursday, June 09, 2011 at the Marquette General Hospital.

Werner was born May 20, 1934 in National Mine, son of Matt & Helmi (Malila) Maki. He graduated from National Mine High School in 1952 and served in the Michigan National Guard. Werner worked for Jones & Laughlin and Cleveland Cliffs prior to working 23 years as a corrections officer. He retired in 1996 from the Marquette Branch Prison.

"Weiner" was an inductee in the Michigan Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 1989 and the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 for his pitching abilities. He was dubbed "The Fabulous Finn" in Crystal Falls in 1989. He enjoyed many years traveling the Midwest with his family to softball games even pitching in the National Tournament in Ohio in 1973. His Woody's Bar teams were well respected during a time when the fast pitch softball era had many competitive teams in this area. Woody's was known as a family oriented team-accompanied by spouses and children.

Wern was known for his outstanding ability as a fast pitch softball pitcher. One of his notable feats was pitching back to back no hitters in 1966. He enjoyed his time with friends at Camp Gutshot where he was known as the "domestic servant" since he didn't hunt. He enjoyed playing dominoes with his trailering friends, his involvement with Faith Lutheran Church and his volunteer work at the Ishpeming Elks making pasties. Weiner kept in contact with his softball buddies & especially enjoyed his close friendship with Matt Bjorne, but most importantly he enjoyed his time with his family. Wern also enjoyed traveling the back woods with brother in law David Warlin while their spouses were the backseat drivers. His outings with the church traveling crew were also a source of great enjoyment to him.

With his declining health this past year he was very appreciative of the good friends & neighbors who were so helpful to him. Especially Herbie Walline, Ken & Markus Maddock, Dick Hebert and brother in law Terry Martti.

Werner was a warm loving man. He was a faithful loving husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather. He went out of his way to help his family when ever he was needed and his loving wife was always by his side.

Werner married Elaine (Warlin) on September 29, 1956. They were blessed with three daughters Cynthia (Francis) Armitage, Christine (Kurt) Alto both of Republic, & Susan (Gary) Bovan of Munising, Grandchildren: Rachel (Jason) Griffin, Amber (Jens) Mortensen, Kurt W. Alto, Brandi Alto, Matthew Armitage, Melissa (Steve) Argilan, Jennifer (Pat) Hill, James (Kristen) Laakso Jr & Haylee Gardner, 14 great grandchildren; Derek & Tyler Hill, Anders, Liam & Anika Mortensen, Sidney, Cole & Paige Griffin, Saadiqah & Marqese Gardner, Caleb Sherman, Dylan Laakso, Ryan Argilan and Avery Armitage. Also surviving is his mother in law Linda Swanson, brothers in law Wally (Dorothy) Warlin, David (Delphine) Warlin, Terry Martti, sisters in law Barbara Augustson, Arlene Warlin & Priscilla Martii, numerous nieces, nephews & cousins, including special nephew Steve (Lori) Swanson. Werner was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dolores (Rit) Swanson, brother in law Robert Warlin and nephew Alan Warlin.

A Celebration of Life service and visitation will be held on Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Faith Lutheran Church, Co. Rd. 581, Ishpeming, with Rev. Dave Johnson officiating the service at 6:00pm and visitation from 3:00pm-6:00pm.

The Ishpeming ELKS Lodge will conduct a memorial service at 4:00pm on Monday at the church.