Ishpeming – Michael J. Pauna, age 41, of 211 Davis St. Ishpeming passed away on Tuesday November 30, 2010 at the Marquette General Hospital Emergency Room following a head injury sustained at work on Monday.


Michael was born October 30, 1969 in Cloquet, MN the son of the Nancy A. (Kyllonen) and the late Arnie R. Pauna. He grew up in Minnesota, moving to North Carolina briefly and then to this area in 1986. Michael was a graduate of the Negaunee High School, Class of 1988. He went on to serve his country in the United States Army during the Pursian Gulf War "Desert Storm" in Iraq. Following his service time he retuned to this area and was a Cross Country Trucker for the Swift Trucking Co. for 6years. Most recently he had been working for Midway Rentals as a Truck Driver.


Michael was a member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting, and fishing, and always had an interest in woodworking.


Survivors include his son Tristan M. Pauna of Negaunee, his mother Nancy Pauna of Ishpeming, a sister Lisa M. Pauna of Green Bay, WI, his grandmother Esther Kyllonen of Crystal Falls, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, including close friend Ken Seablom of Ishpeming, along with a host of brothers and sisters in faith. He was preceded in death by his father Arnie R. Pauna and his grandparents Richard and Irja Pauna and Wayne Kyllonen.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00am until 1:00pm on Sunday December 5, 2010 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming. Funeral services will follow at 1:00pm with Charles Prusi to officiate and military honors to be accorded by the Vietnam Veteran of America Chapter #380. Interment will take place at Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the service at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church on Co. Rd. 492, Negaunee.


Honorary pallbearers will be Richie, Charles, Eric and Ryan Kyllonen, & Abram and Carl Pauna.