Iron Mountain-Gary "Joe Bear" Fortner, age 77, of Iron Mountain, Mich., passed away Sunday, December 16, 2018, with his family by his side after a courageous two-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born January 19, 1941, in Iron Mountain, Mich., son of the late Clay and Elsie (Nelson) Fortner. Joe was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Kingsford High School, class of 1959. He married Karen Gorrell on June 27, 1964. Joe worked for the City of Iron Mountain at the Filtration Plant and the Water Department for 27 years, before retiring. He was a member of the Michigan National Guard for 6 years and served during the Detroit riots. Joe was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Iron Mountain and past member of both the Elks Club and Jaycees. He was one of the original founding members of the Dickinson Amateur Hockey Association, where he spent countless hours preparing the rink and coaching. Joe took great pride in coaching his son's hockey and baseball teams.

He loved his camp in Amasa, Mich. which he referred to as God's Country and where he spent time with his children and grandchildren. Joe attended all of his grandchildren's activities. He lived for his family and was very proud of them. Joe will forever be known as an avid Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan. He loved the color red, ice cream, chocolate, and plain well-done hamburgers. Joe adored his wife's cooking, no matter what it was.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Karen; one daughter, Kimberly Jo (Tino) Mariucci, Norway, Mich.; two sons, Kirk (Laura) Fortner, Iron Mountain, Mich. and Derek (Kristin) Fortner, Kingsford, Mich.; ten grandchildren who called him "Papa", Ashley (Dave) Winkel, Manistique, Mich., Gino and Marchella Jo Mariucci, Norway, Mich., Paige, Ella and Hunter Joe Fortner, Iron Mountain, Mich., Sierra, Daunte, Reece and Delaney Fortner, Kingsford, Mich.; three great-grandchildren, Georgia, Wesley and Ben Winkel, Manistique, Mich.; and his beloved dog, Boomer.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by two brothers, Gene Fortner of Chicago and John "Jock" Fortner of Iron Mountain.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 19, 2018, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, Iron Mountain. Funeral services will be Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. at the church. Pastor Geri Hamlen will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain, Mich. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post #50 will accord military honors at graveside.

A memorial will be established in Joe's memory.

You may leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Joe's legacy of life.