Bryan M. 'Roundy' Pumala

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Bryan M. "Roundy" Pumala, 69, of Ironwood, died unexpectedly Thursday, April 3, 2014, at home.

Bryan was born May 30, 1944, in Bessemer Township, son of the late Matt and Helen (Ranta) Pumala, attended A.L. Norrie Grade School, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1962. He then worked at American Motors in Kenosha, Wis., and at Caterpillar Corporation in Milwaukee, prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army on Nov. 8, 1966, and proudly serving a two-year tour of duty in Vietnam. His medals and commendations included the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, and Marksman Rifle. Following his honorable discharge on Nov. 7, 1968, he returned to Ironwood and was employed as a utility welder at White Pine Copper Co. for 30 years until his retirement.

Bryan was a member and past commander of Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580, a member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 529, Ironwood American Legion Post 5, the Aurora Athletic Club, Saxon Harbor Boating Club, Whitetails Unlimited and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, and a former member of the Range Trap Club and White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club. He was also an avid bowler, hunter and Green Bay Packers fan.

On May 8, 1965, he was married to the former Yvonne Saari at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, by the late Rev. Oliver Hallberg. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Brad, Bessemer, and Eric, Ironwood; a daughter, Lisa (Weston) Walowinski, Hurley, Wis .; four grandsons, Evan and Tahaner Pumala, Bessemer, and Chandler and Dawson Walowinski, Hurley; a brother, Terry (Elsa Beth), Ironwood Township; brothers- and sisters-in-law, James and Nancy Saari and Janet and Jim Gheller, all of Oma, Wis .; an uncle, Jack Pumala, Ann Arbor; best friend, Al Laitala, Ironwood; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his parents, Bryan was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Stenstrom; brother-in-law, David Stenstrom; and father- and mother-in-law, Leo and Gertrude Saari.

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

Memorial services will be held Friday, April 11, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 111 S. Curry St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen officiating.

Full military honors will be accorded by the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron County VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

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

Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Evan and Tahaner Pumala and Chandler and Dawson Walowinski.

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