Lake Linden March 14, 2015
Ronald David Dostaler (Ron) born August 10, 1941, in Houghton Michigan, passed away on March 14, 2015.
He attended school in Gay, Michigan, through the 8th grade. He graduated from Lake Linden-Hubbell High School in June 1960.
Ron served 6 months active duty in the U.S. Army and then 6 1/2 years as a reservist. In February 1961 Ron began working underground for C&H Mining Co., first as a trammer later as a driller/blaster until the strike of 1968. He worked for White Pine Copper Company until the massive lay-off of 1975. He also worked for Homestake Mining Company. He earned a welding certificate from MTU. He worked in many different jobs after that, including Detroit & Northern, Locatelli Construction, Jilbert Dairy, & Tony Burcar Construction. A severe heart condition and 2 surgeries forced him into early retirement in 1999. Before his heart surgeries, he loved riding motorcycles, and owned several over the years. He and his wife went on motorcycle trips each summer. He was a Life Member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association.
He was a former volunteer 4-H leader and Assistant Boy Scout Leader, and Currently a director in the Friends of Van Riper and Craig Lake State Parks Group and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hubbell, Williams-Giroux American Legion Post 90 of Lake Linden, The National Riffle Association, AMAC & the North American Hunting Club
Ron loved hunting, camping, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, photography, woodworking, taking his wife for rides on his side-by-side, attending the daily board meetings at Lindell’s Chocolate Shoppe, and listening to Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. He really enjoyed collecting maple sap with his good friend and neighbor Fred Watson every Spring, watching old Sit-coms and westerns, and being campground host at Van Riper State Park.
He was an avid collector of baseball caps, and coffee mugs. He was also an avid and life long Green Bay Packers fan.
On September 8, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Hiltunen, and they have lived in rural Lake Linden ever since.
He is survived by his wife; 2 sons, Todd Ronald and David Lee (Kelly) of rural Lake Linden; a daughter, Tanya Lynn (Douglas) Etelamaki of Chassell; Granddaughters Jena and Maci Dostaler and Ally and Lily Etelamaki; Step-grandson and granddaughter Ryan and Madeline Etelamaki; Sister Georgie (Don) Hurst of Marquette and LacLaBelle; numerous nieces and nephews, and his little poodle, Curly Joe.
He was preceded in death by his mother Lucille; brother-in-law Keith Hiltunen; and grandson, Brody Ronald Etelamaki.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19 from 5 until 8 pm, at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015 in St. Johns Lutheran Church in Hubbell at 2:00 pm, with a visitation one-hour prior.
The American Legion Post 90 of Lake Linden will hold a service for Ron at 7:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home.
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements, and condolences may be left for the family at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to The Brody Strong Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research 21953 Creamery Rd. Chassell, MI 49916.
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