Archived Obituaries

Gerhart "Gary" Donald Bantle, age 77 of Crystal Falls, MI, passed away on January 12, 2009 following a lengthy illness. He was born in Centerville, South Dakota to parents John and Barbara (Beck) Bantle. When he was five years old, the Bantle family moved to Marinette, WI. He was a 1948 graduate of Wausaukee High School and thereafter took a course in telegraphy which began his career in railroading. In 1949 he was a telegrapher and train master for the C&NW railroad in Chicago, IL and their road in Escanaba. In 1968 he left the C&NW railroad and was hired by Lake Superior & Ishpeming railroad in Marquette, MI as Superintendent of Transportation, retiring as president from that railroad in 1993. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Stambaugh and American Lutheran of Sun City, AZ. Gary was a First of America Bank Director and served on several boards including Kiwanis, Union National Bank, Operation Action, U.P. Chamber of Commerce, American Short Line Assoc., Elks, and LS&I RR Veterans and Retirees Assoc. Survivors are his wife, Marjorie (Kallioinen/Hiironen) Bantle Stepchildren, Roger (Tina) Hiironen of Northland Michael (Dawn) Hiironen of Negaunee, MI Katherine Walters of Kingsford, MI Sally Elsey of Freeport, IL Nine step grandchildren and five step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Lois (Camerer); his parents; brother Walter Bantle; nephews Scott Bantle and Jeffrey Hirronen. Visitation: Monday, January 19, 2009 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River Funeral Service: Monday, January 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River with Rev. Kevin Kaiser to officiate. Interment: Chapel Hill Cemetery, Freeport, IL Wednesday January 21, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Bay Cliff Health Camp, 310 W. Washington Street, Marquette, MI, 49855. Local arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River.