Father Norman U. Weslin, age 81 of Traverse City, MI, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Cherry Hill Haven.

He was born August 29, 1930 in Iron River, MI to Oscar and Hilma (Waurinen) Weslin. He attended the Iron River Schools, graduating from Iron River High School with the Class of 1948. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Army in August 1948 and entered into Officer’s Candidate School and was commissioned First Lieutenant in 1951. He continued to move up in ranks throughout the years and retired honorably in 1968 with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Norman married the former Mary Lou Miller on August 25, 1951 at St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River. His assignments in the Army took them to the far east and throughout the United States and Panama. Mary Lou preceded him in death in on July 2, 1980.

In 1982, after receiving his Master’s Degree in Theology, he applied to enter the priesthood. He was ordained as a Catholic Priest on July 10. 1986 in Ponce, Puerto Rice with the Oblates of Wisdom.

Norman converted his home to “The Mary Weslin Home for Pregnant, Unwed Mothers.” He also founded the pro-life organization, “The Lambs of Christ.” He worked with Mother Theresa for nine months counseling alcoholic and drug addicts in the slums of New York. He was heavily involved with Right to Life and other organizations protesting abortions.

He was a former member of St. Agnes Catholic Church of Iron River and the Knights of Columbus,

He is survived by his son, Jon (Anne) Weslin of Gillette, WY; daughter, Anna Weslin of Colorado Springs, CO;  granddaughter, Colleen Weslin; great grandchildren, Conor Jon Weslin, Molly Marie Kuhbacher, Emily Ann Wanke, and Ethan Erin Wanke; sisters, Elvie (Wayne Sullivan), Lila (John Smith) and Nancy Pearson.

He was also preceded in death by his grandson, Erik in 2009 and siblings, Bill, Wilma and Ruth.

Visitation: Monday, May 21, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Iron River, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase and Msgr. John McCarthy concelebrating the Mass of Christian Burial.

Interment: Stambaugh Cemetery, Iron River .  The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside.