George Piippo

George Piippo

George John Piippo, 79, of Rudyard, was a lifelong farmer who worked on building I-75 and other roads, before owning a construction company. Mr. Piippo and passed away Monday, July 7, 2008, at his home.

He was born June 27, 1929, in Rudyard to Andrew and Tynne (nee Kangas) Piippo.

Mr. Piippo grew up in Rudyard and married Mary Ellen "Minnie" Obeshaw August 3, 1951, in St. Ignace.

He farmed all of his life and owned and operated Piippo Brothers Construction from 1975 until his retirement in 1998. Prior to owning his own business, he worked various highway jobs through the Operator's Union Local 324, which included I-75 in the E.U.P. He also raised Christmas trees with his brothers, Eino and Onnie, and sold them in the Chicago area for more than 45 years.

He was a member of Operator's Union Local 324 and the Antique Tractor Association.

Mr. Piippo loved restoring and operating antique farm equipment, cars, and trucks, and just "tinkering" around his shop. He participated in antique tractor pulls and parades in the local area. He also enjoyed farming with the old equipment.

He is survived by his wife, Minnie; one daughter, Shirley Frederick of Salt Lake City, Utah; two sons and their families, George and Christine Piippo of Phoenix, Arizona, and Richard and Katie Piippo of Big Rapids; 12 grandchildren and their families, John Brown, Angela and Dustin Ashwood, Katie and Justin Graham, Nashtashia and Phillip Wiley, Lena Piippo, Jessie Piippo, Brandon and Alicia Ross, Kaycie Ross, Tyler Ross, Owen Piippo, Leah Pomranky, and Dana Pomranky; five greatgrandchildren, Daein, Logan, Avery, Owen, and Lyric. Also surviving is one brother and his family, Melvin "Mike" and Marg Piippo of Rudyard, and two sisters in-law, Ruth Piippo and Doris Piippo.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sharon Marie Maxwell; two sisters, Alma Aho and Irene Nayback, and four brothers, Onnie Piippo, Wayne Piippo, Andrew Piippo, and Eino Piippo.

Visitation was held Friday, July 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Services were Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Reverend Gene Harrison conducting the service. Burial followed at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township.