Marcus A. Antilla, age 19, of 196 Evergreen Street, Republic, passed away while on a hiking expedition in the Rocking Chair Lakes region on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Marcus Antilla was born in Ishpeming on July 3, 1997. His parents were Mark A. Antilla and Joanne E. (Heliste) Antilla. He received his education at Republic-Michigamme School, where he was a standout both in the classroom and on the athletic field. Marcus was the top student in his class in 2015 and was honored as the valedictorian.
He was a member of the Republic-Michigamme basketball and track teams. Additionally, he was a member of the Ishpeming Hematite football team. He was a member of the Ishpeming football teams that won the state championship in both 2012 and 2013. Marcus’s baseball experience includes time spent with the Republic and Ishpeming Little Leagues as well as the Legion club.
Marcus has recently finished his second year as a student at Michigan Technological University, where he was working toward a degree as an electrical engineer. Marcus participated in intramural basketball and flag football while he was a student at Tech. Marcus spent his time throughout the previous summers working at the Marquette County Landfill. He delighted in outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, camping, and spending time with his family and friends. As his two sisters are both due to have children in June, Marcus was looking forward to the possibility of becoming an uncle.
Marcus is survived by his parents, Joanne and Mark Antilla of Republic, his sisters, Lindsey (Andrew) Mattson of Australia and Taylor (Jacob) Spear of Republic, his grandmothers, Elaine Heliste and Joan Antilla of Republic, as well as numerous aunts and uncles, including: David Antilla, Steven (Judy) Antilla of Republic, Mary Jo Carello of Ishpeming, Wayne (Jane) Heliste of Marcus’s grandfathers, Norman Heliste and Oscar Antilla, as well as his aunt Peggy Shepherd and a cousin Kerrie Shepherd, all passed away before him.
On Friday, May 5, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., funeral services for Marcus will be place at the Bethany Lutheran Church located at 110 Poplar St. in Republic, Michigan, with Reverend Kevin Kaiser serving as the officiant. The burial will take place at the cemetery located in Republic Township.
On Friday, May 5, 2017, from 2:30 p.m. until the time of the ceremony at 6:00 p.m., members of Marcus’s family will be present at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic to meet and greet friends and relatives. The following individuals have volunteered to serve as pallbearers: Halen Carello, Thomas Finegan, Jake Spear, Andrew Mattson, Jason Tapio, and Mike Mattila.
The Republic-Michigamme Hawks basketball team and the Ishpeming Hematites football team will serve as honorary pallbearers during the funeral.
You’ll be able to listen to the tape of the funeral service right here whenever it’s made public.