Edward John Linna, age 66; of Macomb Township and formerly Ishpeming, died suddenly September 25, 2011. He was born in Ishpeming to Harold and Viola (nee Kangas) Linna on July 24, 1945. His parents were the proprietors of Linna's Drugstore. Edward graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1963 and entered the Navy in 1966. He served four years, part of the time in Vietnam. On June 24, 1967 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Johnson.
After his discharge in 1972, Edward studied at Michigan Tech and graduated with an associate's degree. At this point the couple moved downstate where Edward went to work for General Motors. He was a senior research and development specialist in the area of instrumentation and retired after 30 years.
Edward was described by his family as being a very outgoing, social person. He was known as Mr. Ed to the neighborhood children. He loved dogs, especially other people's dogs, such that he became a dog babysitter. He enjoyed a good cheeseburger, something he often ordered no matter the restaurant. Perhaps a nod to his UP beginnings, he prided himself on shoveling snow well. NASCAR racing and reading were his other pleasures. He was learning woodworking at the time of his death.
Edward is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his three children, Stephanie (Alan) Wood of Atlanta, GA, Eric (Theresa) Linna of Sterling Heights, MI and Kirk Linna of Chicago; and his four grandchildren, Lindsy and Ian, and Lindsay and Stephani. Edward is survived by his mother, Viola and his sister, Ann (Bob) Sarna as well as two nieces and one nephew. He was predeceased by his father, Harold.
Services were held. The family requests memorial contributions to St. Jude Hospital and the American Heart Association. Arrangements entrusted to the Lee-Ellena Funeral Home, Macomb, Michigan.
