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Paul E. Oja

Paul Oja

FORSYTH TWP., MI – Paul E. Oja, age 68, of Forsyth Twp. passed away at his home on Friday, January 17, 2020.

Paul was born in Ishpeming, MI on May 2, 1951, to Edna Mae (Koski) and Edward U. Oja. He graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1969 and attended Northern Michigan University. Paul served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Japan during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he began his career with The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., working mainly as a Production Truck Driver at the Empire Mine for 30 years. In his younger years, Paul served as a volunteer firefighter in Ishpeming Twp. and worked as DJ at WJPD, being known as Paul Edwards on the air.

Paul’s unshakable faith in Jesus and his love of nature and watching wildlife brought him joy and peace to the end of his earthly journey.

Paul is survived by a son, Jeremy Gaboury (Jeremy Gorges) of Wild Rose, WI; sisters Susan Oja (Jeffrey Key) of Middleton, WI and Sandra (Pete) Engstrom of Ishpeming; brother, Daniel Oja (June Jamrich Parsons) of Savannah, GA; four grandchildren – Mariah, Jacob, Matthew, Aaron; uncle John Oja of Gwinn; nieces and nephews – Jesondra Aho (Cody, Cassidy, Xander), Joshua Aho (Nichole Schneider), Jeremy Aho (Angel Paris/ Dominicque, Bailey, Nolan, Calienna, Addaleighna) and Jennifer Aho (Tommy McLoughlin/Savanna, Tommy, Jr.), Nicole Key, Michael Key, Tensi Parsons (Keefe Crowley) along with numerous cousins. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, many dear aunts and uncles, and his great nephew, Cody.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming with James Heikkinen to officiate.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Wednesday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Paul’s obituary also can be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.