Paul Victor Lahti

TRAVERSE CITY — Paul Victor Lahti, 94, of Traverse City, died early Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, 2007, at French Manor. A former resident of Ontonagon, Clawson, a winter resident of Beverly Hills, Fla., Paul had been a summer resident of Honor since the early 1980s.

Born April 3, 1912, in Atlantic Mine, Paul was the son of the late Solomon and Maria (Paakkonen) Lahti. On Jan. 23, 1937, in Detroit, he married the former Esther Alice Wallo, who preceded him in death on June 3. 2004.

Paul was a gifted and talented carpenter who enjoyed building homes and cottages. During his younger years growing up in the Upper Peninsula, he was an avid ski-jumper. Through the years he maintained his interest in baseball, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his children; son, Gerald Paul (Linda) Lahti of Naperville, Ill.; daughter, Lois J. Lahti of Traverse City; son, Kenneth A. (Diane) Lahti of Honor and Naples, Fla.; and Sharon Herman of Sedona, Ariz.; two sisters, Lillian Baxter and Stella Laut; many grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Esther, Paul was also preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Paul Lahti; four brothers; and four sisters.

Memorials services will be held this spring, at which time arrangements will be announced.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at French Manor Inn for the wonderful and excellent care they afforded Paul.

In remembrance of Paul, memorials may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society or to Munson Hospice.

Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.