Paul D. Moffatt
SALEM, WI – Paul D. Moffatt, age 80, longtime Ishpeming resident, passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2021, in the home of one of his daughters, surrounded by the loving care of his children and grandchildren following a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Paul was born in Negaunee, MI, on June 20, 1941, the son of the late Shirley A. (Johnson) and Paul T. Moffatt. He grew up in Ishpeming and graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1959. He attended Northern Michigan University. Paul married M. Diane Kokko (now Hine) June 30, 1962. They moved to Omaha, NE, where he worked in construction as a painter on Offutt Air Force Base. His nickname there was “Moffatt at Offutt”. Not long after the birth of their first child, his father notified him that positions had opened up at Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company, and that he should apply. So they moved back to the U.P., living in Negaunee. Their five other children were born in Ishpeming.
Paul worked for CCI for 31 years; 18 years at Republic, and 13 years at Empire as a Maintenance Planner. He retired as a Supervisor in January 1997.
In Paul’s high school days, he loved sports and was a successful track, football and basketball player. So, as an adult, known locally by his friends as “Muff”, he spent his leisure time playing on city league basketball, softball, and bowling teams. He was a member of the Wawonowin Country Club in Champion, MI where he truly loved golfing. Paul was an outdoorsman, and as such, enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also somewhat of a “home chef” since he reveled in cooking, grilling steaks and fish. The kids have fond memories of his best spaghetti, fried chicken and cracker soup! He was an avid Packers and Tigers fan, and he loved watching all his favorite sports on TV. As his family grew, an impressive fact and feat about our Dad is that he built the last three Ishpeming houses that we grew up in – each one a little bigger and better than the last. He was a hard worker and wanted the best that he could provide for us.
Loving father of Debra (Tom) Boens of Bolingbrook, IL, Kim (Ron) Taylor of Naperville, IL, Michael (Rose) Moffatt of Champion, Amy (John) Strouf of Salem, WI, Daniel Moffatt of Lombard, IL, and Christopher Moffatt of Ishpeming; cherished grandpa of Shane Chaney, DaCota (Drew) Redman, Dillon Spotts, Sienna Boens, Jordyn Taylor, Kathleen (Joe) Vassios, Laci Moffatt, Anthony Svoboda, Brittany Svoboda, Andrew Strouf, and Kelsey Strouf; dear brother of Sharon (the late Tom) Peterson, Valerie (Brian) Peterson, and Ginger (Glen) Henson. Fond Uncle, cousin, and friend to many.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, Illinois.
A “Celebration of Paul’s Life” to be shared with relatives and friends will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, on Friday, September 24, 2021, at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery right afterwards.
Our Dad dearly loved children – after all, he fathered six of us. So, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/ donate.
Paul’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.