Melvin Piippo Melvin Harold “Mike” Piippo, 79, of Rudyard, died Thursday, April 8, 2010, at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey.

He was born September 1, 1930, to Andrew and Tynne (nee Kangas) Piippo.

Mr. Piippo grew up in Rudyard. He served in the United States Air Force for four years, just after the Korean War. He returned to Rudyard, where he worked on various construction jobs as a heavy equipment operator through the Operating Engineers' Union for many years. He later worked for his brothers at Piippo Brothers Construction as a diesel mechanic and equipment operator. He also helped in his son's business, Titan Timber.

Mr. Piippo enjoyed outdoor activities, including farming, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed baking cinnamon bread and making jam. He enjoyed the time he spent with his family, and this winter they gathered to play 18 holes of video golf each evening.

Mr. Piippo is survived by a daughter and her family, Amelia “Amy” and Matthew Gordon of Grand Rapids; a son and his family, Melvin “Mike John” and Terry Piippo of Rudyard; three grandchildren, Jeramie and Lacey Piippo, Sarah and Chase Teeple, and Kasey and Nathan Wobma, and four great-grandchildren, Spencer Piippo, Andrew Piippo, Sadie Teeple, and Lexi Teeple. He also is survived by a stepson, Clinton and Alice Spring of Rudyard; a stepdaughter, Karen and Ron Royer of Rudyard, and many stepgrandchildren and stepgreat grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lempi “Ellen” (nee Wouri) Piippo; his second wife, Marjorie (nee Pope) Piippo; a stepdaughter, Kathy Blalock; five brothers, Onnie, Wayne, Andrew, Eino, and George Piippo, and two sisters, Elma Aho and Irene Nayback.

Visitation will be Friday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Services will follow at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Burial will be in North Rudyard Cemetery.