Eugene LaChapelle,

CRYSTAL FALLS - Eugene N. "Gene" LaChapelle Sr., 77, of Crystal Falls, died Thursday, March 12, 2009, at the Iron County Hospital in Iron River. He was born on April 27, 1931, in Iron County, son of the late Eli and Teresa (Chemello) LaChapelle. He attended the Forest Park Schools graduating from Forest Park High School in 1950. Upon graduating, he joined the United States Coast Guard on July 19, 1950, and was honorably discharged on July 18, 1953. He married Dorothy Look at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Tawas, Mich. and they spent 54 wonderful years together. He would live in East Tawas until moving to Crystal Falls in 1960. After his service with the Coast Guard, he took a job with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) starting as an engineering aide. He had many duties and job titles with MDOT, and would retire in 1990 as a construction technician. Upon retiring he worked as an office tech trainer with MDOT. Gene was an active member of the Guardian Angels Catholic Church. He served on the Parish Council, the Finance Council, and the Building and Grounds Committee. He also served as an usher, an extraordinary minister, and an adult server for many years. He was very active with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Upper Peninsula for many years, serving as past president. Gene was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree and served as the past Grand Knight. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). In the year 2007, Gene was voted Citizens of the Year by the Crystal Falls Lions Club. Gene is survived by his loving wife of more than 54 years, Dorothy; children, Paul (Connie) LaChapelle of Cumming, Ga., Bryan (Diane) LaChapelle of Crystal Falls, Nick (Jean) LaChapelle of Crystal Falls, Pamela (Fred) Coburn of Littleton, Colo., and Jeffrey (Rebecca) LaChapelle of Ishpeming; grandchildren, Sara, Joe, Bryan "Little Bry," Kristin, Kaitlin, Meaghan, Alexandra, Colton, Samantha, Eric, Adam, Valerie, Lea and Eli; grand-pups, Eli, Elly Mae, Buzby and Mr. Big; great-grandchildren, Alexis and Elizabeth; a brother, Ronald (Sue) LaChapelle of Poway, Calif. and a sister, Leonora Wilson of Oceanside, Calif. Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls. The funeral Mass will follow Monday at 11 a.m. at the church. Fr. Norman Clisch will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The Eastside Veteran's Council will do a pass-by tribute at 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Iron County Cancer Unit, P.O. Box 45, Iron River, Mich. 49935. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in the spring. The Eastside Veteran's Council will accord full military honors in the spring. Condolences to the family of Eugene "Gene" LaChapelle can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the funeral arrangements.