Alvin J. Gendron

Alvin J. Gendron, age 87, of Palm Bay, FL, formerly of Iron River, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at the William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida.  He was born April 4, 1930 in Iron River, MI, the son of the late Marcell and Edna (Plourde) Gendron. He attended and graduated from the Iron River High School, with the Class of 1948. He went on to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska, followed by earning his Master’s Degree at Syracuse University in New York. Alvin married Norma (Esarey) Atherton on May 26, 1983 in South Bend, Indiana. The couple celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary this spring.   He was a Vietnam War Veteran and was employed as an Army Colonel for the United States Army for 28 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and Notre Dame Football.   Alvin is survived by his wife, Norma; Blake (Kathy) Gendron of Tacoma, WA, Douglas Gendron of Ozark, AL, Glenn (Kathy) Gendron of Middlebury, IN, James (Jennifer) Gendron of Anderson, IN; step-son, Robert (Joni) Atherton of Cassopolis, MI; step-daughter, Ann Atherton of Rhome, TX; brother, William Gendron of Colorado Springs, CO; nieces, Jeanne Schober of Iron River, MI, Crystal Rintala of Marquette, MI and Delite Hill of Gwinn, MI; eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth (Latvala) Gendron; brothers, Harry and Norman Gendron and sister, Edna Porter. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at St. Agnes Catholic Church at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery in Iron River, with the Michigan Army National Honor Guard and the West Side Veterans to accord Military Rites at the graveside. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alvin J. Gendron, please visit our flower store.