John Saarinen

John I. Saarinen
John I. Saarinen, 93, longtime resident of Hibbing died Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at the Heritage Manor in Chisholm.  He was born on August 17, 1918 to Edward and Alvina (Lahnalampi) Saarinen in Kinney, MN.  John was a graduate of the Forbes High School.  He served his country in the Army Air Force as a gunner on a B-29 during World War II in the Pacific Theatre.  John was the recipient of the Purple Heart.  He united in marriage to Bernice (Hopper) on November 4, 1950.  John was employed as a mechanic at the Ford Garage in Hibbing, then as a school mechanic for ISD 701.  After retirement, John worked as a part time bus driver for the Hibbing School District, and drove the Hibbing Marching Band on many of their trips.  He enjoyed watching  baseball, and was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins.  He loved the outdoors, fishing, and hunting, were his pastimes.  John was a member of the VFW Post 8510 of Hibbing, and the Hibbing Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his son, Glenn (Rene) Saarinen, and daughter, Beverly Bizal, both of Hibbing, eight grandchildren, Brian (Tina) Quiser, Dana (Jeff) Sanders, Linda (Steve) Wright, Kathy Klegstad, Mike (Tammy) Bissonette, Tom (Lisa) Bissonette, Debbie (Ron) Moen, and Lori Bissonette, 23 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Alvina (Lahnalampi) Saarinen, his wife, Bernice Saarinen on July 24, 1987, daughter, Evelyn Bissonette, and his three sisters, Elissa Liukkonen, Laina Jackson, and Sylvia Erickson-Waldschmidt.
Funeral services for John will be held at 12:00 noon, Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.  Steve Tomberlin will officiate.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home on Monday.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

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