Hiram John Aho, 88, of New York Mills, passed away Nov. 12, 2007, at the Elders' Home in New York Mills.
He was born April 11, 1919, in Newton Township, rural New York Mills. His parents were Elie and Helmi (Porkkonen) Aho. He grew up in New York Mills and attended District 279 country school in New York Mills. He served in the Army from Jan. 21, 1941, to Dec. 17, 1945. When he returned, he farmed in Blowers Township, rural New York Mills, and was the assessor and supervisor in Blowers Township. He moved to Oregon for a short time and was employed by Fiberboard Products. He then moved to Aurora, Minn., where he was employed at the Iron Mines. He returned to New York Mills and sold the farm in 1972. He moved into New York Mills and was employed by Lund Boat Company in 1972 and retired in 1982. He was very active in church. He served in many capacities over the years: organist, Sunday school superintendent, a singer in choir and financial secretary. He also enjoyed trips to Finland, Alaska and the Holy Land. Reading his Bible was a very important part of his life.
Funeral services were held Nov. 15 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills with the Rev. Rod Krueger officiating. The pallbearers were Donald Jungclaus, Hubert Hepokoski, Gerald Vandermay, Doug Witt, Ken Maki and Bob Maki. He was laid to rest in Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Sebeka. Arrangements were provided by the Karvonen and Son Funeral Home in New York Mills.
Survivors include his sisters, Lillian (Hubert) Hepokoski of Chisholm and Doris (Donald) Jungclaus of Glencoe; 12 nieces and nephews; many other relatives and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elie and Helmi Aho; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jennie and Herman Vandermay, Esther and Victor Maki, Rosie and Herbert Redetzke; and two nieces and a nephew.
