Eugene Karinen

Obituary of Eugene Karinen Houghton Canal- Eugene Roy Karinen, 72, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 1, 2014, at his home on the Houghton Canal. Eugene, "Butch", was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 12, 1941, the son of the late Emil and Vieno (Hella) Karinen.He spent summers in the Copper Country with family and grew to love the area. He moved to the Houghton Canal in 1971, where he has resided until his passing. Eugene grew up in Southfield, Michigan, and graduated from Southfield High School. He was in active military duty in the U.S. Navy from January 1961 to January 1965, and after submarine school served as a Sonarman on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600). He was proud of his "Dolphins". This is a distinguished badge of honor worn only by a qualified submariner. He was a member of the United States Submarine Veterans Club until his passing. In 1964, he was united in marriage to the former Lillian Kenny in Glasgow, Scotland. After his service in the Navy, he became an Ironworker, completing journeyman training in Detroit. He was an Ironworker in the Detroit area until moving to the Copper Country in 1971. He then began working in the Upper Peninsula and Minnesota, belonging to Ironworker's Union Local 783 out of Marquette. Butch was close to his family and enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and had his ups and downs with the Detroit Lions. Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister, Sharon Carpenter; his niece, Marnie (Swatosh) Wiitanen; and his brother-in-law, Andrew Henry. Surviving are: his friend, former spouse, and caregiver, Lillian Karinen; his children- Heather (Ted) Sledge of Bemidji, MN; Bonnie Karinen, recently relocated to Osma Plat on the Houghton Canal; Erika (Mark) Dysarz of Davisburg, MI; and Christopher Karinen of Charlotte, MI. His grandchildren- Nick and Trevor Sledge; Jessica, Gabrielle, London and Mackenzie Dysarz; and Katelyn and Marnie Karinen. His sister, Gloria Henry of Westland, MI. His niece Kerstin Henry, and nephews Justin Henry and Joe (Michelle) Swatosh. Also, numerous, well-loved cousins and many good friends. Funeral services will be held at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock at 1pm, Thursday, August 7, 2014. The Reverend Kenneth Toth will officiate. Burial will be in the Oskar Cemetery, with the Copper Country Veterans holding military honors. Visitation will be from 5pm to 8pm, Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock. To view Eugene's obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes have been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Eugene Karinen, please visit Tribute Store