John Bunjevac Jr.

IRONWOOD, Mich. - John Bunjevac Jr., age 94, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 22, 2023, with his loving family by his side.

John was born on Aug. 18, 1928, to parents John and Rose (Sacalovich) Bunjevac of Ironwood (Jesseville location). He attended Ironwood schools, was an active member in the JROTC program, and graduated with the class of 1946. Before graduating, he worked on the family homestead, at a greenhouse, and at A&P Foods.

He was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces in 1950 and served in active combat in the Korean War as a corporal in the 37th Field Artillery Battalion 2nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.

He married his wife, Patricia, on July 14, 1951, while serving. They were blessed with 70 years together. They lived briefly in Indiana after he was honorably discharged from the service. After moving back to Ironwood, they started their family.

He began a long career mining iron ore in the Penokee Mine, then working as a metal fabricator at Schult Mobile Homes. After their closure, he filled vending machines and worked with his brother painting. He eventually began a career with the electric companies Lake Superior District Power, Northern States Power and Xcel Energy. He worked in substation maintenance for 20-plus years and then retired at the suggestion of his wife to travel with her and spend time with their growing family.

He was a caregiver for their son for 30 years and then cared for his ailing wife later, always putting himself last on his long list of to-dos. He was a devoted, kindhearted, soft-spoken and generous soul who will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (nee Rundell); son, Mark; son-in-law, Raymond Volaski; his parents; brothers, Nick (Leone), Steve (Dorothy) and Peter; sisters, Reggie (Joe) Tiziani, Mary (Art) Slade, Helen (Jim) Ledvina, Millie (Paul) Dural, Katie (John) LaSota, Anna (Auburn) Clark, Rose (Don) White and Julie Brew; and many nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his daughters, Colleen Volaski and Cheryl (Jeff) Johnson, of Ham Lake, Minnesota; granddaughters, Leslie (Jon) Lemieux, of Menasha, Wisconsin, Lisa Grimsby, Megan Volaski and Kaylan Volaski; and great-grandchildren, Lincoln Lemieux, Jackson Lemieux, Angeline Wiita, Michael Wiita and Madelyn Wiita; sister-in-law, Cyndee (Dave) Carlson; and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A private service was held at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood on June 7.

The family would like to thank his caregivers and physicians at Aspirus Home Care and Hospital and Gogebic Medical Care Facility for the exceptional service they provided.

Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor John's legacy of life. You can leave condolences or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.