Clayton A. 'AJ' Aijala

HURLEY, Wis. - Clayton A. "AJ" Aijala, 84, of Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 8, 2016, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Nov. 17, 1931, in Ironwood, son of the late Uno and Luella (Kompsie) Aijala, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1949. He then attended Gogebic Community College for two years. While a student at GCC, he played basketball for the Samsons.

Clayton worked for Moland Brothers Trucking in Ironwood and at the Cary Mine. He then was employed at White Pine Copper Co. for 32 years, retiring as a mechanic in 1994. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and was an excellent softball player, having played softball on many teams in range area leagues in his younger years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening and spending time with family, and loved his dogs, Sam and Bucko. He was also a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood.

He was married to his first wife, the former Barbara J. DeRosso, on May 23, 1951.

He then was married to Betty DeMario Ketola on Aug. 12, 2000, at Salem Lutheran Church by the Rev. Rell Spickerman.

Surviving are his wife, Betty, of 16 years; six sons, Brian (Mina), Ironwood, Tim (Judy), Two Harbors, Minn., Jeff, Appleton, Kevin (Carenea), Hurley, and Kim (Jessica) and Cory (Patty), both of Dickinson, N.D .; a daughter, Greta (Larry) Czerniak, Hurley; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; stepdaughter, Kathy (Mike) Dabb, Ironwood; two stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; his ex-wife and mother of his children, Barbara Aijala, Hurley; and brother-in-law, Walter Berzinski, Green Bay.

Besides his parents, Clayton was predeceased by his sister, Beverly Berzinski, in 2015.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with Pastor Bill Jacobson officiating. Packer attire is encouraged.

Luncheon will follow at the Liberty Bell Chalet in downtown Hurley.

Private committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.