Ishpeming – Gary A. Hytinen, age 61, of 3043 Deer Lake Rd. passed away on Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Bell Hospital in Ishpeming following an apparent fall from a railcar at the Tilden Mine. Gary was born July 1, 1952 in Ishpeming the son of the late Raymond "Pinky" and Elizabeth (Sillonpaa) Hytinen. He attended the Ishpeming Schools, and entered the United States Navy in March of 1970. He served aboard the USS Saratoga as a Radar Technician during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to Ishpeming, Gary was employed by CCI (Cliffs Natural Resources), having worked at the Empire and Tilden Mines for the past 39 years. He was currently a general reagent handler at the Tilden Mine. Gary was a member of the United Steelworkers of America, Local #4974. Gary will be remembered as a self-taught individual, if there was something he needed to know he would seek the information and gain the knowledge he needed, and it was through this he had learned to play the guitar, amongst other things. Gary was always willing to help anyone who needed a helping hand, and was always the life of the party with his contagious laughter and storytelling. His granddaughter Lexi was the apple of his eye and one who he would lay down anything at a moments notice for. Gary most often could be found in the company of his sheep dog Sandy. In his younger years, Gary enjoyed driving and fixing his stock car for racing at sands speedway along with deer hunting. Survivors include sons – Christopher Hytinen and Jason Hytinen both of Ishpeming, a brother Roger (Gloria) Hytinen of Ishpeming, sisters – Karen (Jack) Harvala of Ishpeming and Jodi Hytinen of Champion, a granddaughter Lexi Leigh Hytinen, his former wife Lori Hytinen of Iron Mountain along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded death by his parents and a sister Jeri Lynn Weaver. The family will greet relatives and friends from 4pm until 6pm on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming. Funeral services will follow at 6:00pm on Thursday with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Inurnment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the services at the Bethel Lutheran Church. The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be heard by clicking here.