Melvin Keranen

Mel was born in Tri Mountain, Michigan on August 5, 1934 and raised in Baraga, Michigan. Son of Eino and Helen (Wallo) Keranen, he was the eldest of 3 brothers, with younger brothers, James and Donald. Both sets of grandparents were Finnish immigrant dairy farmers and he grew up speaking Finnish and working and living on their farms. His father, Eino, was self-employed playing in musical groups, hosting concerts and dances in his dance hall, running a shingle mill as well as selling instruments and appliances and televisions in his store. Mel often assisted in working in the shingle mill. Mel learned to play the piano, piccolo, clarinet, saxophone, string bass, and accordion among other instruments. He regularly played dance music in his father’s dance hall growing up as a child and teen. His mother, Helen, was a public school teacher.

He graduated from Baraga High School in 1952 where he played on the basketball and football teams. He was the class president and salutatorian. Mel graduated with honors from Northern Michigan University in music education, was a member of Theta Sigma Nu fraternity, Omicron Rho, Kappa Delta Pi honor society and the Clef Club. At Northern Michigan University he met his future wife, Karen Jamison.

Mel taught music at the Ontonagon High School until he was drafted in the U.S. Army. Mel and Karen were married and then he was stationed in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.  Mel was an Officer in the US Army and led the U.S. Army reception band there.

In 1959, the couple moved to Romeo, Michigan where Mel taught music in the Romeo Junior High School.

Mel and Karen moved to Flint and  he taught in the Carman-Ainsworth School District for 27 years. He was the High School Band and Orchestra Director and Fine Arts Coordinator for the district. He was beloved by many students. He occasionally brought school bands to Mexico and Canada for tours. He co-directed countless musicals and directed, wrote and choreographed marching band programs. Notably, he composed the high school fight songs for Ainsworth and Carmen.

Other professional credits include: Adjunct Professor at Mott Community College; President of Michigan School Band and Orchestra Director Association; President of the American School Band and Orchestra Association; contributing writer to the professional journal “Instrumentalist;” Conductor of the Flint Concert Band; Certified Piano Tuner and Technician; composer, and arranger of many musical scores including those by Percy Grainger whom he intently researched while living in England.

He received a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Music Education and studied in the doctoral music program at Michigan State University.

In 1963, Mel and Karen purchased land on Long Lake in Honor, Michigan at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Mel self-built an A-Frame home with his relative’s assistance and enjoyed summering next door to his Aunt Esther and Uncle Paul and his cousins. Mel retired at the lake house, where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, watching the Red Wing Hockey team training games in Traverse City and woodcarving. He also served as: President of the Long Lake Association initiating many conservation projects; Volunteer at the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts; and Volunteer At Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Mel loved skiing and taught for 20 years at Mt. Holly and then Crystal Mountain as a Professional Ski Instructors of America certified member. He was well-traveled throughout the United States. He spent a year living in Cornwall, England while Karen was teaching there as a Fulbright Scholar. He also visited his ancestral roots in Finland a couple of times.

Surviving relatives are his beloved wife of 63 years, Karen, son Karl, daughter Sarah (husband Salvador Lopez), and daughter Amy (husband Mark Spitznagel). He is also survived by grandchildren Knox (wife Abigail), Milo, Bode, Amadeo, Celeste, Teddy and Silja.

Services will be held 11 AM Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. The family will receive friends from 10AM until the time of service. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com