CEMETERY RECORDS say age 78.
HEADSTONE says father.
STAMBAUGH, MICHIGAN CENTENNIAL,1882-1982: 100 YEARS ON THE HILL centennial book "Family Histories: John and Mary Viitala" page 91 with photo
John Viitala, a former Stambaugh businessman and philanthropist, was born in Alavuos, Finland in 1881 and came to the United States as a young man, settling in the Crystal Falls area.
There he met the former Mary Puotinen, whom he married in 1900.
He and his wife Mary, who was born in Evijarvi, Finland in 1879, operated a boarding house in Crystal Falls for several years, then moved to Iron River where they operated a candy store.
They later moved the store to Stambaugh, operating the business in what later was the DeHate Building on First Street and which later housed the offices of Dr. Alan Wolfrom, DDS. The Viitalas resided in the upstairs apartment of the structure.
It was in this location that five of their seven children were born. In addition to their own children, the Viitalas reared three foster children as a result of the death of their parents.
The foster children were: Walter Altonen 9, Ernest Altonen 5 and Helen Altonen 14 months.
John was also employed at the Berkshire Mine as a timber and shaft boss, but lost his employment during the depression.
He was able to obtain a job as janitor at the Stambaugh schools, a position he held for 18 years until ill health forced his retirement
The Viitalas also kept cows, selling the milk and keeping some for their own needs. They were well known for eagerness to help anyone in need and often were the first to contribute coins and food to help a less fortunate family.
John had two brothers; Thomas who also lived on First Street in Stambaugh, and who was the grandfather of the famed accordionist Viola Turpinen, and Erik of Toivola, Michigan who was the father of 13 children including Jingo Viitala Vachon, the author of four books about life in the Upper Peninsula.
John, who passed away in 1959 at the age of 79, was preceded in death by his wife Mary, who died in 1937 at the age of 58.
Surviving children include: Eva Viitala Wagner, Martha (Mrs. Albin) Viitala Zyskowski of Iron River, Ellen Viitala Young, Helen Viitala Polonoski, and foster children Ernest Altonen, Helen Altonen Pedo and Walter Altonen.
Deceased children are: Bertha Viitala Malinoski, Reino Viitala, a former city employee, and Oliver Viitala.
HEADSTONE says father.
STAMBAUGH, MICHIGAN CENTENNIAL,1882-1982: 100 YEARS ON THE HILL centennial book "Family Histories: John and Mary Viitala" page 91 with photo
John Viitala, a former Stambaugh businessman and philanthropist, was born in Alavuos, Finland in 1881 and came to the United States as a young man, settling in the Crystal Falls area.
There he met the former Mary Puotinen, whom he married in 1900.
He and his wife Mary, who was born in Evijarvi, Finland in 1879, operated a boarding house in Crystal Falls for several years, then moved to Iron River where they operated a candy store.
They later moved the store to Stambaugh, operating the business in what later was the DeHate Building on First Street and which later housed the offices of Dr. Alan Wolfrom, DDS. The Viitalas resided in the upstairs apartment of the structure.
It was in this location that five of their seven children were born. In addition to their own children, the Viitalas reared three foster children as a result of the death of their parents.
The foster children were: Walter Altonen 9, Ernest Altonen 5 and Helen Altonen 14 months.
John was also employed at the Berkshire Mine as a timber and shaft boss, but lost his employment during the depression.
He was able to obtain a job as janitor at the Stambaugh schools, a position he held for 18 years until ill health forced his retirement
The Viitalas also kept cows, selling the milk and keeping some for their own needs. They were well known for eagerness to help anyone in need and often were the first to contribute coins and food to help a less fortunate family.
John had two brothers; Thomas who also lived on First Street in Stambaugh, and who was the grandfather of the famed accordionist Viola Turpinen, and Erik of Toivola, Michigan who was the father of 13 children including Jingo Viitala Vachon, the author of four books about life in the Upper Peninsula.
John, who passed away in 1959 at the age of 79, was preceded in death by his wife Mary, who died in 1937 at the age of 58.
Surviving children include: Eva Viitala Wagner, Martha (Mrs. Albin) Viitala Zyskowski of Iron River, Ellen Viitala Young, Helen Viitala Polonoski, and foster children Ernest Altonen, Helen Altonen Pedo and Walter Altonen.
Deceased children are: Bertha Viitala Malinoski, Reino Viitala, a former city employee, and Oliver Viitala.
CEMETERY RECORDS say age 78.
HEADSTONE says father.
STAMBAUGH, MICHIGAN CENTENNIAL,1882-1982: 100 YEARS ON THE HILL centennial book "Family Histories: John and Mary Viitala" page 91 with photo
John Viitala, a former Stambaugh businessman and philanthropist, was born in Alavuos, Finland in 1881 and came to the United States as a young man, settling in the Crystal Falls area.
There he met the former Mary Puotinen, whom he married in 1900.
He and his wife Mary, who was born in Evijarvi, Finland in 1879, operated a boarding house in Crystal Falls for several years, then moved to Iron River where they operated a candy store.
They later moved the store to Stambaugh, operating the business in what later was the DeHate Building on First Street and which later housed the offices of Dr. Alan Wolfrom, DDS. The Viitalas resided in the upstairs apartment of the structure.
It was in this location that five of their seven children were born. In addition to their own children, the Viitalas reared three foster children as a result of the death of their parents.
The foster children were: Walter Altonen 9, Ernest Altonen 5 and Helen Altonen 14 months.
John was also employed at the Berkshire Mine as a timber and shaft boss, but lost his employment during the depression.
He was able to obtain a job as janitor at the Stambaugh schools, a position he held for 18 years until ill health forced his retirement
The Viitalas also kept cows, selling the milk and keeping some for their own needs. They were well known for eagerness to help anyone in need and often were the first to contribute coins and food to help a less fortunate family.
John had two brothers; Thomas who also lived on First Street in Stambaugh, and who was the grandfather of the famed accordionist Viola Turpinen, and Erik of Toivola, Michigan who was the father of 13 children including Jingo Viitala Vachon, the author of four books about life in the Upper Peninsula.
John, who passed away in 1959 at the age of 79, was preceded in death by his wife Mary, who died in 1937 at the age of 58.
Surviving children include: Eva Viitala Wagner, Martha (Mrs. Albin) Viitala Zyskowski of Iron River, Ellen Viitala Young, Helen Viitala Polonoski, and foster children Ernest Altonen, Helen Altonen Pedo and Walter Altonen.
Deceased children are: Bertha Viitala Malinoski, Reino Viitala, a former city employee, and Oliver Viitala.
HEADSTONE says father.
STAMBAUGH, MICHIGAN CENTENNIAL,1882-1982: 100 YEARS ON THE HILL centennial book "Family Histories: John and Mary Viitala" page 91 with photo
John Viitala, a former Stambaugh businessman and philanthropist, was born in Alavuos, Finland in 1881 and came to the United States as a young man, settling in the Crystal Falls area.
There he met the former Mary Puotinen, whom he married in 1900.
He and his wife Mary, who was born in Evijarvi, Finland in 1879, operated a boarding house in Crystal Falls for several years, then moved to Iron River where they operated a candy store.
They later moved the store to Stambaugh, operating the business in what later was the DeHate Building on First Street and which later housed the offices of Dr. Alan Wolfrom, DDS. The Viitalas resided in the upstairs apartment of the structure.
It was in this location that five of their seven children were born. In addition to their own children, the Viitalas reared three foster children as a result of the death of their parents.
The foster children were: Walter Altonen 9, Ernest Altonen 5 and Helen Altonen 14 months.
John was also employed at the Berkshire Mine as a timber and shaft boss, but lost his employment during the depression.
He was able to obtain a job as janitor at the Stambaugh schools, a position he held for 18 years until ill health forced his retirement
The Viitalas also kept cows, selling the milk and keeping some for their own needs. They were well known for eagerness to help anyone in need and often were the first to contribute coins and food to help a less fortunate family.
John had two brothers; Thomas who also lived on First Street in Stambaugh, and who was the grandfather of the famed accordionist Viola Turpinen, and Erik of Toivola, Michigan who was the father of 13 children including Jingo Viitala Vachon, the author of four books about life in the Upper Peninsula.
John, who passed away in 1959 at the age of 79, was preceded in death by his wife Mary, who died in 1937 at the age of 58.
Surviving children include: Eva Viitala Wagner, Martha (Mrs. Albin) Viitala Zyskowski of Iron River, Ellen Viitala Young, Helen Viitala Polonoski, and foster children Ernest Altonen, Helen Altonen Pedo and Walter Altonen.
Deceased children are: Bertha Viitala Malinoski, Reino Viitala, a former city employee, and Oliver Viitala.
Family Members
Parents
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
