Eino "Luke" Luukkonen

Trenary

Eino John “Luke” Luukkonen, age 80, of Trenary, died peacefully at his home under the loving care of his family and UPHS Hospice on Sunday, November 2, 2025. He was born on September 6, 1945 in Marquette, Michigan to Ruth Ylinen. Luke was raised by his grandparents Isaac and Alma Ylinen. He grew up in Trenary and graduated from Trenary High School. Luke married Trudy Lee Niemi on May 14, 1966 and together raised their two children. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed school to become a Turbo Prop Mechanic. He served as crew chief in Vietnam for

the C-130s and earned the Good Conduct, Republic of Vietnam, National Defense, and Vietnam Service Medals. Luke was honorably discharged in 1970 as a Sergeant. He went to work for Delta Airlines at O’Hare in Chicago and worked as a ground support equipment mechanic. Luke retired after thirty years in 2000, and he and Trudy moved from Hanover Park, IL back to the Upper Peninsula to their home in Trenary. He and Trudy enjoyed dancing at the community dances. They were married over fifty-five years when Trudy preceded him in death on May 21, 2021. He loved to golf and played on Thursday leagues at Pictured Rock Golf Course. Luke enjoyed watching his favorite show, Gunsmoke. He also enjoyed cutting and smoking grass.

Luke is survived by his children – Cheri (Jeff) Dzik of Beach Park, IL and Chris (Danielle) Luukkonen of Trenary; grandchildren – Zachary (Marcella) Dzik, Lucas Dzik, Loreal Luukkonen, and Bailey (Jack) Moore; great-grandsons – Jaxon Torres, Dexter Dzik, and Landon Luukkonen; siblings – Karen Schultz, Gary (Betty) Luukkonen, Clark Luukkonen, and Robert Luukkonen; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth and stepfather Ray Luukkonen, wife Trudy, and grandparents Alma and Isaac Ylinen.

Services will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025. There will be a visitation at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Military honors will be rendered by the Alger County Veterans Honor Guard at 1:00 p.m. at the Mathias Township Cemetery in Trenary. A luncheon will follow at the Trenary Community Center.