Mike F. Pavlovich

APPLETON, Wis. - Mike F. Pavlovich, 93, of Appleton and formerly of Ironwood, Mich., passed away peacefully on Nov. 28, 2014.

Mike was born in Ironwood on Sept. 13, 1921, the first of three children for John and Mary (Jelich) Pavlovich. He attended Newport Elementary School, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School as part of the class of 1940.

Following his high school graduation, Mike joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp Norrie. When WWII broke out, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served with the 95th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, based in England. He was a tail gunner on a B17 bomber.

Mike was honorably discharged on Nov. 1, 1945, after which he attended Gogebic Community College for two years, followed by University of Wisconsin-Superior, where he attained a bachelor's degree. Several years later, Mike continued his education at Michigan State University, where he got his master's degree.

Mike was a seventh grade teacher in the Ironwood Area School system from 1951-79.

On June 4, 1949, Mike married the love of his life, Virginia Sudmeier, in Marshfield. They were blessed with three children, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Mike was an active member of our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, formerly Holy Trinity, in Ironwood. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, third and fourth degree, a former Grand Knight of the third-degree and a former Faithful Navigator of the fourth-degree.

Mike was also a charter member of the Gogebic Range Tamburitzans. He was very proud of his Croatian heritage and loved music. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, as well.

Mike is survived by Virginia, his wife of 65 years; his three children, JoAnn (Mike) Smolcich, Janice Williams and Mike (Bobbi) Pavlovich; grandchildren, Brian, Becky, Amy (Jerry), Adam (Niki), Tony (Abby), Matt (Drew), Randy (Kate), Mark and Joe; great-grandchildren, Jeramy, Jamy, Alaina, Nathan, Marko, Ryan and Jonathan; brother, Nick (Carol); and survived by many nieces, nephews and their families.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Pavlovich; as well as sisters- and brothers-in-law.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. Father Robb Jurkovich will be the celebrant.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the St. Joseph Family Room from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A military flag presentation will be conducted by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Spring burial will be in the Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ironwood Knights of Columbus, Council 1396, or Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Rennes Care Center and The Meadows at Touchmark who cared for our loving father in his final days.

Private online condolences can be sent to rangefsi@up.net.

Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood.