Arthur J. Hassell Jr., age 76 of 7560 26th Road, Rapid River, MI died Friday morning, January 11, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Arthur was born May 7, 1931 in Hazelhurst, WI the son of Arthur and E. Marie (Blanick) Hassell Sr. Art was raised in Norway, MI and Beloit, WI until the age of 10 when his family relocated to Rapid River. Art was a 1950 graduate of the Rapid River High School. Following graduation he served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge in 1953, he served in the Army Reserves for several years.
Art was united in marriage to the former M. June Peterson on April 14, 1956 in Dubuque, Iowa, and they made their home in Madison, WI, where they raised their four children. They resided in Madison until 1995 when they moved to their current location in Rapid River.
Art worked for the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison for 33 years until his retirement in 1986. Following his retirement he worked 5 years for the Wisconsin Education Association Council. He also served for several years as the Commanding Officer of the Civil Air Patrol in Madison, WI.
Art was a member of the Wisconsin Treasure Hunters Association and he loved searching for lost items with his metal detector. He also enjoyed trout fishing and spending time on his tractor. Art loved wildlife, and he had the unique ability to hand feed many animals, including deer, chipmunks, squirrels and pheasants. Art enjoyed camping with his children and traveling in their RV.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, June, survivors include:
1 son: James (Cindy) Hassell of Sugar Camp, WI
3 daughters: Vikki (Randy) Ohlrich of Mountain, WI, Sharon (Greg) Hall of S. Glens Falls, NY, and Susan Blumenstein of Lillington, N.C.
1 sister: LaVern (Leonard) Schoonover of Janesville, WI
15 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 3 nieces and 2 nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Jeffrey Blumenstein in 2004.
Art’s family will receive friends on Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Gladstone American Legion Post #71 Military Rites will follow at 12:45 PM. Funeral services celebrating the life of Arthur J. Hassell Jr. will follow at 1:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home with the Rev. Jonathan Schmidt of the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone officiating. Luncheon will follow at the Gladstone American Legion.
