Matt Jalkanen

Obituary of Matt Jalkanen ChassellMatt William Jalkanen Sr., 84, of Chassell, was called to be with the Lord at the Medora House of Portage Pointe in Hancock on Sunday evening May 15, 2011.He was born in Chassell, MI, on April 1, 1927, a son of the late Matt and Maria Kustava (Autio) Jalkanen and graduated from Chassell High School. He was raised on a farm in the Worham area, moved to Detroit taking on numerous jobs including driving cross-country trucks with John Ivory Moving & Storage, apprenticing with Ford Motor Company's Tool and Die Apprenticeship Program from Ford Motor Company. On June 26, 1953, he was united in marriage to the late Patricia Rose (Kastl) Jalkanen. In 1954, they returned to Chassell to take over the family farm where they raised their three children.He later studied at Michigan Technological University to become a land surveyor and was hired by the Bechtol Corporation. He returned to farming again where he was a member of the Houghton County Soil Conservation District and the farm bureau. He worked for the local and county government after studying to become a Property Tax Assessor and Personal Property Examiner first in Chassell Township then later at the Houghton County Equalization Department at the Houghton County Courthouse with certification from the State of Michigan, Department of Treasury, State Assessors Board. He retired in 2001 to live together with his beloved wife.He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a founding member of the Chassell Sportsman's Club, now the Portage Lake Sportsman's Club. He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell and sat on the Church Council where he chaired the Building Committee in 1970 to oversee the building of their current facility. He was on the initial board of directors of the Copper Country's Holy Spirit Conference and Planning Committee as well as belonging to various Christian organizations. He and his wife held a weekly Bible Study and Prayer Meeting at their home on the farm for many years teaching the Bible and ministering to people from many nations and backgrounds.Matt was known for his friendly personality, being a thinker and good conversationalist, his love of learning and growing, especially as technology advanced. He loved to bowl and was a sportsman in both hunting and fishing as well honing his skills in everything he did. By his own admission, he was a "jack of all trades, master of none," but all who knew him usually came to him her help, and help he did. Out of all he accomplished, his most precious love was his love for the Lord Jesus and God's Word. He was a man of faith and a man of integrity to the end.Matt is survived by: His daughter Jan (Agust) RoestamadjiHis son: Daniel (Robin) JalkanenHis daughter-in-law: Lori JalkanenHis grandchildren: maria(Mark) Lillrose, Phillip Roestamadji, Rebekah Seiler, Holly (Erik) Sweet, Joshua Jalkanen, Dana Jalkanen, Hannah Jalkanen, great-grandhcildren; Brenden Seiler, Sophia Lillrose, Caleb JalkanenHis sister: Tina (Harry) DickinsonNumerous nieces, nephews and various other relatives and close friendsHe was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Rose (Kastl) Jalkanen, his eldest son Matt Jr., five sisters Olga Perander, Ina Huurto, Lillian Pfeiffer, Gertrude Mezger and Sieli Bond, and two brothers; Arvo Jalkanen and Arthur Jalkanen.Viewing will be held at Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Chassell on Thursday May 19, from 5 to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be held 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Chassell, on Friday May 20, 2011. Friends may call at the church for a pre-service viewing from 10 am until time of services at 11 am.In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family suggests that memorials be given to Little Brothers friends of the elderly.To view Matt's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Chassell has been assisting the family with the arrangements.Service Information To send flowers to the family of Matt Jalkanen, please visit Tribute Store