Eero B Keranen, 75, died on Mon, Apr 19, 2004, at Kalkaska Memorial Health Care - Long Term Care in Kalkaska.
He was born on Mar 20, 1929, in Wainola to John Herman and Ann (Kemppainen) Keranen.
Eero graduated from the Greenland Township School in Mass City in 1947. He earned a degree in music from Northern Michigan University in Marquette in 1952, and also a master's degree in music from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1957. He studied choral conducting under Professor Maynard Klein and Dr. Kenneth Jewel at the National Music Camp at Interlochen. He taught music in the public schools at Rudyard, Newberry, and Dearborn.
After retirement in 1986, he continued to substitute teach in the Kalkaska area and teach private music lessons.
He served his county in the 101st Airborne Division Army Band from 1952-54 at Camp Breckenridge and Camp Fort Knox in KY.
On Jun 18, 1955, he married Eleanore Marie Hokkanen. They both continued their teaching careers for 32 years.
Eero was the conductor of the Finlandia Male Chorus of Detroit, a roup that he took on concert tour to Finland. This included the Finlandia Strings and Finlandia Brass. He was also the director of the Finnish American Singers of Farmington Hills. He played the trumpet in the Scandinavian Symphony of Detroit, and was the leader of numerous dance bands and jazz bands.
Eero organized a Summer Singers group in the Upper Peninsula called the Kesalaulajat. Proceeds from these concerts went to a scholarship fund for music students. Many of these groups traveled to Finn Fests and festivals throughout the US and Canada.
Eero often arranged musical selections for these groups and also produced records and tape recordings. The ability to play many different instruments was his gift.
Eero was a member of the Finnish Center Association of Farmington Hills and served on the board of directors, as well as a member of the Knights of Kaleva, Michigan Education Association, Dearborn Federation of Teachers, Michigan Retired Teachers Association. Disabled American Veterans and the Detroit Finnish Summer Camp Association.
Eero's interests were varied. He enjoyed hunting, skiing, lumbering, and driving his tractor or Model A. He was also a Boy Scout leader, enjoyed bowling, baseball, and basketball.
Upon moving to Kalkaska, he became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, directed the choir and played trumpet for many occasions. He sang with the Community Choir, played in the Blue Jean Band, played piano for the Commission on Aging Kitchen Band, was involved with the National Trout Festival parades and entertainment. He was also a participating member of the Traverse City Scandinavian Society.
Surviving are his wife, Eleanore; sons, John (Judy) and Steven both of Kalkaska, daughter, Colleen (Rob) Kowalske of Brighton; six grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle, Brittany, Kendra, Tiffany and Anelisa; sister, Elsa Robb of Ontonagon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held on Sat, Apr 24, at St Paul Lutheran Church in Kalkaska with the Rev. Ted Turanski officiating. Pall bearers were John Keranen, Steven Keranen, Rob Kowalske, Gary Lukkari, John Pihlaja and Norm Loren.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe Funeral Home.
