Ralph Commenator

Ralph William Commenator of Iron River, MI passed away peacefully May 13, 2012 at Northstar Health System in Iron River. Ralph was born April 13, 1922 in Rudyard, MI to George and Irene Commenator. He graduated from Sturgis High School (MI) in 1940 and married Rita Rickey on September 16, 1943 at Holy Angles Catholic Church in Sturgis. From 1943 to 1946 he served with the US Army 's 161 Station Hospital in the South Pacific and Japan, leaving the unit as Administrative NCO. He graduated from Michigan State in East Lansing, MI in 1950 with a degree in business administration. From 1950 to 1961 he was employed as a bank examiner with the Michigan State Banking Department. After leaving the banking department, he served as Vice-President, Citizens State Bank of Ontonagon, MI; Vice-President/ Branch Manager, First Commercial Savings Bank, Constantine, MI; Executive Vice-President/ Director, Thompson Savings Bank, Hudson, MI; and Executive Vice-President and Cashier, Iron River National Bank IN 1979 he started R&R Realty and in 1983 he opened Cline 's Gift World in conjunction with the real estate office, with his wife, Rita as co-owner. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 72 years, serving as Grand Knight for Iron River Council 2300 for many years and as past District Deputy in District 61. He served on the Iron River Downtown Development Authority, the Consolidation and Charter Commissions and the Rodeo Committee. He was a former member of the Hully Gully Club, the Iron River Elks Lodge #1671, Iron River County Club, Charter member of the Hudson Lions Club, Iron County Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Reino Post #21, and treasurer for Iron River Co-op Gas Station. As a real estate broker, Ralph was instrumental in organizing continuing education classes with the institute in Iron River. Ralph loved to spend time at deer camp on the Paint River, and watch the Lions and Tigers, and the Spartans beat the Wolverines. He is survived by his wife, Rita; sons, Rick (Mary) of Iron River and Ralph of Rhinelander; daughters, Patricia (Ron) Bilbrey of Essexville, MI, Cathy (John) Hartley of Hudson, MI, Marni (Duane) Suliin of Iron River, and Karen of Palmer, MI; Eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George, sister Mary Lou, an infant son, and his grandson Derek in 2010. Visitation: Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. The Fourth Degree Honor Guard of the Knights of Columbus stand a wake watch during the visitation. Funeral Service; Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Iron River with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the service. Interment: Resthaven Cemetery, Iron River Funeral arrangements are by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Commenator, please visit our flower store.