Marvin Leonard Tassava, Jr., 53, of 4853 Piilola Rd., Ironwood Township, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis. He was waiting for the past 30 days for a liver match to undergo a transplant operation, when he suffered a heart attack at the hospital.      Marvin was born Nov. 23, 1956, in Ironwood, son of Marvin, Sr. and the late Nancy (Sjoman) Tassava. Nancy passed away July 21, 2000, after a successful lung transplant at Fairview University Hospital.      Marvin, Jr. attended Roosevelt Grade School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1973. He held several jobs in the area, one at the Mellen Veneer Mill in Mellen, Wis., before he joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, the same as his dad, and became a licensed, expert welder and pipe and steam-pipe fitter. He traveled to numerous job sites in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, staying weeks at a time, over the years, until his recent illness, which caused him to retire.      He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many hours on Lake Superior on the boat purchased after retiring. He was a great hunter and enjoyed hunting season, for birds and deer. He was known for his "Venison Jerky", his own recipe he made for himself and for friends.      Marvin, Jr. married Irene Searle on Dec. 22, 1979. She survives along with their daughter, Nicole Tassava, and friend, Wayne Martin, of Ironwood.      Also surviving are his father, Marvin Sr., and friend Dorothy Pakonen, of Ironwood Township; his sister, Bliss ( Larry) Rovelsky and their three children, of Ishpeming, Mich.; a brother, John (Karon) Tassava and their three sons, of West Fargo, N.D.; an uncle, Jim Tassava of Iron Mountain, Mich.; his mother-in-law, Florence Monk; sisters-in-law, Shirley Kireck and Donna Gerry; a brother-in-law, Dean Searle; and numerous nieces and nephews.      Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church on Airport Road, just west of Lake Road, in Ironwood Township, with the Rev. Francis Strong officiating.      Cremation will follow.      Luncheon will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.      Relatives and friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.      Pallbearers will be Steven Lehto, Sr., Bart Westeen, Mark Lehto, Steven Nelson, Dave Aho, Jim Piilola, Andy Gressick and Doug Korhonen.       Online condolences may be given to the family of Marvin Tassava, Jr. at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.