Neil J. Pawlicki, 70, of 503 N. Hillcrest Ave., Bessemer, died peacefully Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in his home. He was born June 26, 1937, in Hurley, Wis., son of the late Emil and Hilavie (Erickson) Pawlicki, attended Ironwood schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1956. He then served stateside in the U.S. Air Force for four years and was honorably discharged in 1960. Neil graduated with an associate of arts degree in business from Gogebic Community College in 1964, and magna cum laude from Michigan State University with a bachelor of science degree in accounting in 1966. He was employed as an accountant with the Arthur Anderson Co. in Minneapolis for two years, with Ernst and Ernst in Ironwood for a short time, by the Ahonen Lumber Co. in Ironwood from 1970-1975, and by Superior American Homes in 1981. From 1981-1984, he worked for Haukkala and Jacobson Certified Public Accountants in Ironwood, and from 1984 to his retirement in 2000 as chief financial officer for Pukall Lumber Co. in Arbor Vitae, Wis. Neil served several terms as treasurer for the Ironwood Area Jaycees and Theatre North. He was active in area Little League Baseball and Cub Scouts, and volunteered on the Bessemer High School football "Chain Gang." He enjoyed fishing, and bird and deer hunting. Neil's greatest joy over the last seven years was being "Papa" to his six grandchildren. On June 10, 1961, he was married to Dee Gee DeVries at the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley by the Rev. Ed Ketchem. She survives. Also surviving are two sons, Guy (Trina), Tomahawk, Wis., and Jeff (Krista), Farmington, Minn.; two daughters, Darcy Pawlicki, Wakefield, and Kristin (Jerry) Svoke, South Range; six grandchildren, James and Mary Pawlicki, Tomahawk; Elisabeth, Emily and Kalynn Svoke, South Range; and Olivia Pawlicki, Farmington; a sister, Janet Klarchek, Lake Forest, ILL; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Tina and Connie DeVries, Fox River Grove, ILL; George and Deb DeVries, Marquette; Debbie and Don Tomczak, Withee, Wis.; Katy Pawlicki, Hales Corners, Wis.; and Donna Pawlicki, Maplewood, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Neil was preceded in death by three brothers, William in infancy, and Chester and Donald. In accordance with Neil's wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Neil's life will be held Friday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood. A flag presentation ceremony will be accorded by representatives of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. To view Neil's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley