Paul W. Knuttila

Christmas

Paul W. Knuttila, age 79, of Christmas, died at his home early Saturday morning, April 20, 2019 under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice.  He was born on July 22, 1939 in Munising to the late Waino and Dorothy (Sinervo) Knuttila.  Paul grew up in Munising and graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1957. While in high school, Paul worked for his father’s logging operations.   He married Pauline E. Froberg on October 14, 1961 and together they raised their three children.  Paul worked briefly on the pipeline in Manistique and also for Bacco Construction when the M-28 highway was rerouted.  The majority of Paul’s working career was as a logger in the woods.  He worked for his father, Lud Carr, Ed Graves, and Homer Gallon.  In 1979, Paul bought out Homer and logged Paul Knuttila Logging for many dedicated years.  He retired from logging in 2011.  Paul loved the woods.   He was a faithful member of Eden Lutheran Church and a member of the Michigan Association of Timbermen.  Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing – especially for brook trout, vegetable gardening, and blueberry picking.  His pride and joys were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his wife of over fifty-seven years – Pauline Knuttila of Christmas; their children – Duane (Susan) Knuttila of Christmas, Todd (Kelly) Knuttila of Christmas, and Peggy Knuttila of Farmington Hills, MI; eight grandchildren – Josh (Kamie) Knuttila, Amber (Mike) Gumuski, Tara Knuttila, Amanda Knuttila, Justen (Sam) Knuttila, Whitney (John) Muratet, Taylor (Jeff) Perry, and Clay Friedt; seven great-grandchildren – Jordan, Christian, Kyler, Madison, Jay Jay, Kaleb, and Levi; brother – Eugene (Debby) Knuttila of Fernly, NV; sisters – Betty (Jack) Bunker of Eckerman, MI, Elliy Hammerel of Jackson Hole, WY, Suzanne (Paul) Horvath of Jenison, MI, Mary (Bill) Hase of Christmas, Terry (Richard) Gatiss of Christmas, and Lori (Kent) Bartlett of Cameron Park CA; brother-in-law – Richard Froberg; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend – Tom Fulcher.   Paul was preceded in death by his parents Waino and Dorothy Knuttila, his in-laws Oliver and Gertrude Froberg, and brother-in-law Oscar Froberg.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.   Paul’s funeral service will be officiated by Pastor Ann Gonyea at Eden Lutheran Church in Munising on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.  Paul will be escorted by Duane, Todd, Justen, and Joshua Knuttila, Clay Friedt, and Ted Woodaz.  Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising on Friday, August 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.