John Serena

John Q. Serena A strong but quiet man describes John Serena who passed away on March 13, 2008 just a few months short of his 90th birthday. John was born June 18, 1918 the fifth child of Italian immigrants Antone and Catherine (Roppolo) Serena. He lived on the family homestead on Gibbs City Road for more than 80 years since he inherited the farm from his parents. He attended school for 5 grades at the little Raymo country school where he walked to and from up the half-mile hill. At age 11 he transferred to Lincoln school in Iron River. A shy, wiry boy, John enjoyed sports. He was in 4-H for years and in 1936 earned a trip to Texas with 3 other members and the potato club leader. Graduating with the Iron River class of 1936, he worked in sawmills and on the family farm. When he tried to enlist in the service in 1937, he was denied because of one deaf ear. His two childhood buddies got shot down as paratroopers soon after arriving in France. In 1942 John married his sweetheart, Elinor (Nell) Benson. Their marriage was an inspiration to their family and all who knew them as the years added up. Nell preceded John in death 2 years ago, but they had celebrated 63 ½ years together. After working in sawmills for $.50 to $1.00 / hour, John had an opportunity to become an apprenticed electrician with Dawson Electric of Stambaugh. He was valued as an electrician the rest of his life and worked for Ben Applin of Watersmeet, and Paul's Electric of Iron Mountain. After retirement, he kept busy making firewood on the farm and was the county electrical inspector well into his 80's. A hardworking, honest man - that was John Serena. Two daughters were born into the family, Darlene and Donna. John poured his life into making a good life for his family. Always paying cash for everything (even cars and homes), he made sure his girls had all they needed without spoiling them. During retirement from 1980 to 1992, John and Nell enjoyed seeing the world as they traveled to Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Western Europe, and on tour buses around the USA. John and Nell were members of Grace Covenant Church in Stambaugh, and were loved by the church family. As John's earthly end neared, he very clearly expressed his desire to graduate to heaven. John's example of being at peace with death, his faith and quiet acceptance were admirable. His family will dearly miss Dad - daughter, Darlene (Ray) Leafgren of Superior, WI., and daughter, Donna (Tom) Swanson of Lowman, ID. Grandpa/Great Grandpa John - John (Kathy)Leafgren and children Elizabeth and Tory of Tucson, AZ., Mark (Jenifer) Leafgren and children Ellie, Abby, and Ian of Oshkosh, WI., Nathan Leafgren of Boston, MA., Luke (Lindsay) Leafgren of Boston, MA., Kyna (Rodd) Ritchie and children Caleb, Josh, and Alex of Boise, ID., and Terry (Kirk) Farnsworth and children Ross, Tyler, Samuel and Elizabeth of Boise, ID. A memorial service will be held at Grace Covenant Church on Saturday, March 15th with visitation at 4:00 p.m. and a 4:30 service to follow. Interment will be held in the summer at Rosehill Cemetery in Beechwood. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River.