National Mine – William "Bill" L. Tonge, age 88, of 655 Co. Rd. PD, National Mine, passed away at 11:25am on Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming where he had been a patient for the past day.


Bill was born July 21, 1923 in Omaha, NE the son of the late John W. and Louise (Johnson) Tonge. Bill moved to the National Mine area at a young age and resided here since. He served his country during World War II in the Army Air Force in the European Theater of operations. He was a current member of the Ishpeming VFW Post #4573. Bill worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. doing underground mining at the Mather A, Mather B and last at the Humboldt, retiring in 1979 after 31 years with the company. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting and fishing along with doing taxidermy.


Survivors include 6 sons –William R. Tonge of National Mine, Larry (Claudia) Tonge of Chilton, WI, Dennis (Lisa) Tonge of National Mine, Lonnie (Patsy) Tonge of National Mine, Lee "Chick" (Dana) Tonge of Champion and Jack (Debbie Pellow) Tonge of National Mine, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as his close friend and caretaker Dawn Hoffman. He was preceded in death by his wife Gloria (Hebert) Tonge in 2004, and a daughter-in-law Donna Tonge.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 – 6pm on Monday February 27, 2012 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. A service of remembrance will be held at 6:00pm with Military Honors accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #380. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the services at the Ishpeming VFW.


Pallbearers will be grandsons – Roy, Dennis, Jason, Tony, Justin and Jordan Tonge.