Melvin "Sonny" Baasi

Funeral service for Melvin “Sonny” Leonard Baasi, 72, of Iron will be 10 am Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia with Pastor Paul Lutter officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post #220 of Mt. Iron. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Gilbert. Melvin “Sonny” Baasi died Monday, May 29, 2017 at his home. Sonny was born on May 6, 1945 to Leonard and Evangeline (Olson) Baasi in Clinton Township. He attended school in Cherry, graduating from the Cherry High School, Class of 1963. Following high school, Sonny was drafted into the US Marine Corps where he served during Vietnam. Upon his honorable discharge, Sonny went to work for US Steel-Minntac where he dedicated thirty three and one half years of service until his retirement in 2000. Sonny was united in marriage to Jeanette Johnson on May 1, 1971 in Iron. The couple made their home and raised their family in Iron, where they resided their entire lives. Sonny enjoyed farming with his two sons and spending time on his tractors. He took the greatest pleasure in his family and especially loved being a grandpa. Survivors include his wife of 46 years Jeanette; three children: Shane Baasi of Hibbing, Shawn (Angelia) Baasi of Iron, and Shannen (David) Toole of Britt; five grandchildren: Alana, Brittany, and Austin Baasi, Summer and Noah Toole; four siblings: Susan (Charles) Foix, Kenneth (Laura) Baasi, Leon Baasi, and Calvin (Christine) Baasi all of Iron; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Baasi; sister, Rosalind Palo; and his parents.