Vernon Soderbloom

Vernon A. Soderbloom, 89, Iron River, MI, passed away Friday. April 12, 2013 at Northstar Health System, Iron River after a short illness. Vernon was born July 25, 1923 in Stambaugh, MI, son of Carl and Emily (Anderson) Soderbloom. He attended the Stambaugh Public Schools, graduating in 1941. Vernon entered the US Army in 1943, and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in WWII, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Ribbon, American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with One Bronze Star. On November 1, 1947, Vernon married Mildred Maki, and the couple made their home in Iron River, Michigan. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2012. Vernon was employed by the MA Hanna Mining Company, and worked at the Homer-Wauseca and Groveland Mines until his retirement. Vernon also worked many years at the Iron County Youth Camp (Camp Batawagama) in maintenance. Vernon was a member of the Grace Covenant Church of Iron River. He was a good carpenter and liked woodworking, reading, and watching the Packers. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Carl Jr, Ralph and Marvin, sisters, Eunice and Ingrid, son-in-law Donald Barrette, and daughter-in-law Rose Ann Soderbloom. Vernon is survived by his wife, Mildred; his brothers, Robert (Kathy) Soderbloom, Stoughton, WI, and Dale (Sandee) Soderbloom, Sauk Village, IL; sister-in-law, Charlotte Soderbloom, Iron River; his children, Nancy (Thomas) Burcar, Davison, MI, Curtis (Patty) Soderbloom, Iron River, Alan (Debbie) Soderbloom, Fence, WI, David (Beverly) Soderbloom, Quinnesec, MI, Cindy Barrette, Iron River, and Betsy (Charles) Soderbloom, Harper Woods, MI; 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 9:00 to 10:45 at the Grace Covenant Church of Iron River. Funeral Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the Grace Covenant Church with Rev James Swanson II to officiate. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery in the spring. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside. The family requests no flowers. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vernon Soderbloom, please visit our flower store.