Levi Marttila

Obituary of Levi Marttila Levi R. Marttlia, 84, a former liming resident passed away Thursday October 9, 2008, at St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia. He was born on March 12, 1924, in Liminga, one of 14 children of the late John and Alma (Saari) Marttila. Levi was a graduate of the Houghton High School. Mr. Marttila was a veteran having served with the United States Army during World War II, where he was stationed in Germany and France. After completing his tour of duty, he earned his civil engineering degree at Michigan Technological University. He had then worked in Milwaukee and then the Detroit area as a civil engineer, he worked for Wayne County Road Commission designing various projects such as Highway overpasses. He was a skilled and talented engineer having some a his work featured in the Detroit News. A man of great intelligence and possessing a life-long passion for knowledge, he received a Juries Doctorate (Law degree) from Wayne State University in 1965. Levi also loved the arts and especially enjoyed introducing his nieces and nephews to opera and classical music. Levi would often travel to New York City to the Met to see his beloved operas. His nieces and nephews cherish their memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, as demonstrated by the many photos of Levi holding them as babies,as well as the next generation of babies. Levi became ill in May of this year. He battled infections, Parkinson's disease and heart problems. Mr. Marttila is a dear brother to Joel Marttila, Houghton canal, Evelyn Kivi, Livonia, Hanna Lupan, St. Ignace, Laila Evans, Henderson, N.C., Raymond Marttila, Portage and Leo Marttila, Houghton Canal. He is also survived by many nieces, and nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Levi were first held Monday October 13, 2008, at the Thayer Rock Funeral Home of Farmington, MI. A funeral service for Levi will also be held 11 am Thursday October 16, 2008, in the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock with Rev. Jimalee Jones to officiate. Burial will be in the Liminga Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday October 15, 2008, from 3 to 8 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock and on Thursday from 10 am until time of service. To view Levi's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock has been assisting the family with the local arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Levi Marttila, please visit Tribute Store