John Dennis Marinsek Jr., 89, lifetime resident of Ely, died on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at home with his family by his side.
He was born January 20, 1922 in Aurora to John and Frances (Mismash) Marinsek and attended Ely schools.
John was always a hardworking man providing for his family. He worked in the Ely mines before entering the U.S. Marines in 1941. He became a Corporal in the Marine Corps and took an active part in four major campaigns: Guadacanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received at Saipan.
John married Pauline Yernatich in Tower, MN on January 16, 1945 while on furlough. He was discharged from the Marines in Sept., 1945.
In Ely, he opened a business called Johnny's Linoleum which later became Modern Decorating. He retired in 1982. He served on the Ely City Council and was a member of American Legion Post 248 and VFW Post 2717. He enjoyed playing cards with his buddies, traveling, golfing and in his later years spending time in Florida.
He is survived by his daughters: Bonnie (Chet) Smith, Jane Marinsek (Steve Devich), and Nancy (Mike) Johnson; his loving partner of 21 years, Margie Zgonc, who has always been at his side; grandchildren: Michael Smith, Jeff Devich and Kory Johnson; numerous nephews and nieces; and a special nephew Pat (Karen) Zupancich.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Frances, and his wife Pauline in 1988; sister Frances Zupancich and many good friends.
Interment Ely Cemetery
He was born January 20, 1922 in Aurora to John and Frances (Mismash) Marinsek and attended Ely schools.
John was always a hardworking man providing for his family. He worked in the Ely mines before entering the U.S. Marines in 1941. He became a Corporal in the Marine Corps and took an active part in four major campaigns: Guadacanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received at Saipan.
John married Pauline Yernatich in Tower, MN on January 16, 1945 while on furlough. He was discharged from the Marines in Sept., 1945.
In Ely, he opened a business called Johnny's Linoleum which later became Modern Decorating. He retired in 1982. He served on the Ely City Council and was a member of American Legion Post 248 and VFW Post 2717. He enjoyed playing cards with his buddies, traveling, golfing and in his later years spending time in Florida.
He is survived by his daughters: Bonnie (Chet) Smith, Jane Marinsek (Steve Devich), and Nancy (Mike) Johnson; his loving partner of 21 years, Margie Zgonc, who has always been at his side; grandchildren: Michael Smith, Jeff Devich and Kory Johnson; numerous nephews and nieces; and a special nephew Pat (Karen) Zupancich.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Frances, and his wife Pauline in 1988; sister Frances Zupancich and many good friends.
Interment Ely Cemetery
John Dennis Marinsek Jr., 89, lifetime resident of Ely, died on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at home with his family by his side.
He was born January 20, 1922 in Aurora to John and Frances (Mismash) Marinsek and attended Ely schools.
John was always a hardworking man providing for his family. He worked in the Ely mines before entering the U.S. Marines in 1941. He became a Corporal in the Marine Corps and took an active part in four major campaigns: Guadacanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received at Saipan.
John married Pauline Yernatich in Tower, MN on January 16, 1945 while on furlough. He was discharged from the Marines in Sept., 1945.
In Ely, he opened a business called Johnny's Linoleum which later became Modern Decorating. He retired in 1982. He served on the Ely City Council and was a member of American Legion Post 248 and VFW Post 2717. He enjoyed playing cards with his buddies, traveling, golfing and in his later years spending time in Florida.
He is survived by his daughters: Bonnie (Chet) Smith, Jane Marinsek (Steve Devich), and Nancy (Mike) Johnson; his loving partner of 21 years, Margie Zgonc, who has always been at his side; grandchildren: Michael Smith, Jeff Devich and Kory Johnson; numerous nephews and nieces; and a special nephew Pat (Karen) Zupancich.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Frances, and his wife Pauline in 1988; sister Frances Zupancich and many good friends.
Interment Ely Cemetery
He was born January 20, 1922 in Aurora to John and Frances (Mismash) Marinsek and attended Ely schools.
John was always a hardworking man providing for his family. He worked in the Ely mines before entering the U.S. Marines in 1941. He became a Corporal in the Marine Corps and took an active part in four major campaigns: Guadacanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received at Saipan.
John married Pauline Yernatich in Tower, MN on January 16, 1945 while on furlough. He was discharged from the Marines in Sept., 1945.
In Ely, he opened a business called Johnny's Linoleum which later became Modern Decorating. He retired in 1982. He served on the Ely City Council and was a member of American Legion Post 248 and VFW Post 2717. He enjoyed playing cards with his buddies, traveling, golfing and in his later years spending time in Florida.
He is survived by his daughters: Bonnie (Chet) Smith, Jane Marinsek (Steve Devich), and Nancy (Mike) Johnson; his loving partner of 21 years, Margie Zgonc, who has always been at his side; grandchildren: Michael Smith, Jeff Devich and Kory Johnson; numerous nephews and nieces; and a special nephew Pat (Karen) Zupancich.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Frances, and his wife Pauline in 1988; sister Frances Zupancich and many good friends.
Interment Ely Cemetery
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