TOGUS — Wiekko V. Sillanpaa, 82, of Kingfield, passed away Friday, March 16, at Togus Veteran’s Hospital.

He was born on Jan. 4, 1930, in Kingfield, the fourth of 10 children, to Alex J. and Impi H. (Miller) Sillanpaa. His father worked in the woods, living much of the time in camps out away from the family, while his mother and his siblings tended the farm in New Portland.

In October 1935, when Wiekko was 5 years old, his father died from pneumonia, leaving his mother just a few months before the youngest of his siblings were born, twins. At that point the family moved to Kingfield where Impi tended the family and the children went to school until they could go to work. Wiekko went to work at the age of 14 as a water boy for the road tarring crew in the 1940s. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country in Korea as a field wireman.

Upon returning home, he went to work at Wing’s Spool and Bobbin, now known as Kingfield Wood Products. He retired from there and helped his siblings with the care of their mother until her death. He was a service officer for the American Legion Post No. 61 in Kingfield for more than 40 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved his nieces and nephews, going to countless events and gatherings with, and for, them over the years. Special time was spent for many hours out riding around with his brother Pops looking for wildlife. In 1998 Wiekko was given recognition as Mr. Kingfield.

Surviving him are sisters, Salli Dudley and husband, Lucian, of Kingfield and Minervia Pulsifer of Worcester, Mass.; brother, Austin “Pops” Sillanpaa of Kingfield; sisters-in-law, Betty Sillanpaa of Newport and Blanche Sillanpaa of New Vineyard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Sylvia and Anita; and four brothers, Alex “John”, Niilo, Robert and Martin.

Condolences may be written to the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.