Earl "Whitey" Martin Kangas, 87, of Mass City, passed away quietly away on Monday, October 6, 2014, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, Mich. He was born January 16, 1927, in Houghton, Mich., son of the late Emil and Anna (Pirhonen) Kangas. After graduating from Houghton-Hancock High School, Earl enlisted and served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army Infantry in World War II. After returning home from the war he helped his parents on the family farm. On August 16, 1947, he married the love of his life, Evelyn Hautamaki. She preceded him in death in July 2007. Earl and Evelyn stayed in the Mass City area until 1960, when they decided to head out west with their three children, Susan, Karen and Keith. While Earl lived out west, he worked as a construction worker on the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Ariz. The family then traveled to Las Vegas, where he continued to work as a construction worker. In the early 80's, he and Evelyn returned to the Mass City area to take care of his father. Upon their homecoming, Earl went back to work on the farm, spending long summer evenings in the field. He never really retired, but was always doing busy work. Earl was a wealth of knowledge when it came to gardening and always had a quip or an answer for any question that was asked. Earl is survived by his two daughters, Susan Huff, Mass City and Karen Schluter, Las Vegas, NV; one son, Keith (Kim) Kangas, Mass City; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is survived by with fondness and loving memories; Earl's family will miss him. In accordance with Earl's wishes, a private memorial service will be held in the summer of 2015. The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain to honor Earl's Legacy of Life. You may light a candle in remembrance of Earl, or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com