Oiva 'Bill' Harju

Oiva W. "Bill" Harju, 77, of Lakefield Township, died at Marquette General Hospital Saturday, February 16, 2008.

Born in Negaunee December 14, 1930, he was the only son of William and Hilda (nee Herrella) Harju.

Following his education, Mr. Harju was inducted into the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged January 15, 1954. He returned to the Negaunee area and married Beverly Kecker in 1955.

He moved to Lakefield Township in 1968 and became employed as a plumber for Goldthorpe Enterprises. He retired in 1994.

After his first wife passed away, Mr. Harju married Hazel Bowler in 1984.

He is survived by five children and their families, Debra and Dale Hardy of Newberry, Raymond Harju of Stinnett, Texas, Arlen and Deb Bowler of South Lyons, Kirk Bowler of Newberry, and Lorry and Lester Webb of Kincheloe; nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Beverly, who died in 1983, his second wife, Hazel, who died August 25, 2007; and a son, Donald, who died in 1980.

Services were held Tuesday, February 19, at 1 p.m. at the Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry with Pastor Paul Williams officiating. Burial will take place in the spring in East Lakefield Township Cemetery.