Mr. Saari was born Sept 9, 1940 in Champion to Bertha (Annala) and the late Charles A Saari. He was a lifelong resident of the area.
A 1959 graduate of Champion High School, he worked 29 years as a craftsman at Northern Tire Co., Ishpeming until becoming ill.
He was a avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, and he served as a trustee on the Michigamme Township Board for many years. He was a former member of the Michigamme Volunteer Fire Department, and he organized and coached the Michigamme Little League.
Survivors include his wife, the former Renee Dishnow, whom he married in 1965 in Michigamme; his mother of Negaunee; two sons, Ron (Marci) of Marinette, Wis., and Kevin of Michigamme; three sisters, Janet (Sam) Watters of Ishpeming, Barbara McCormick of Negaunee, and Carol (David) Mattice of Negaunee; four brothers, Ken (Grace) and Fred (Judy) of Ishpeming, and Richard and James (Linda) of Negaunee; two grandchildren and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home of Ishpeming, and Thurdsay at St. Agnes Church in Michigamme, from 9 a.m. until the time of services, which are at 10 a.m. in the church. The Rev. Michael Carriere of Eastwood Apostolic Lutheran Church will officate.
Pall bearers will be Ken, Richard, Fred and James Saari, Bill Mitchell, and Clifford Mercier.
Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery.