Paul J. Soltis

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Paul J. Soltis, 89, of Ironwood, died peacefully Monday, April 15, 2013, with his family by his side, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood, following a brief illness.

He was born Jan. 27, 1924, in Ironwood, son of the late Sebastian and Anna (Sisko) Soltis, attended Oliver and Central grade schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1942. He worked as a meatcutter at Buehler’s Market in downtown Ironwood prior to entering the U.S. Army on Feb. 15, 1943, serving overseas with the 69th Division in the Rhineland and Central Europe, where he saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and the Ardennes.

Following his honorable discharge on Feb. 21, 1946, Paul returned to the area and worked in local mines for 10 years. He then attended Coyne School of Electricity in Chicago and became an electrician, working on construction in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Fairbanks, Alaska, retiring in 1995 as a pipeline inspector for a local contractor.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bessemer American Legion Post 27, Hurley, Wis., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580, and IBEW Local 242 of Duluth, Minn., where he recently received a 50-year pin for service to the Local. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and stream fishing. Paul’s children have many fond memories of camping and wilderness exploring with their father. Many people did not know that Paul also had a natural talent for drawing and even considered a career in art. He also enjoyed cooking and golf in his later years, and was extremely proud of his flower garden. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Paul was married to Dorothy M. Tocci on Oct. 26, 1957, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montreal, Wis., by the late Rev. Kolman. Dorothy survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Michael (Laurie), Ironwood Township, and Scott, Ironwood; a daughter, Paula (Mark) Kutz, Corsicana, Texas; granddaughter, Danielle Kutz, College Station, Texas; sister-in-law, Joyce Soltis, Saginaw; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph, Steve, Jake, Bill, Tom and John; and sisters, Mary Asplund and Anne Corda.

Out of respect for Paul’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, May 7, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation in the St. Joseph Family Room at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Full military honors will be accorded by representatives of Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and Hurley VFW Post 1580, with a dinner to follow in the parish hall.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, later this spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be given online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.