Raymond D. Pawlak, 87, of 456 Elm St., Ironwood, Mich., died peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, in Hurley, surrounded by his family.      He was born July 20, 1922, in Ironwood, son of the late Frank and Frances (Raymond) Pawlak, attended Ironwood public schools, and graduated from Luther. L. Wright High School in 1940.      He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps on Jan. 18, 1943, proudly serving his country in the 79th Medical Supply Platoon in India, and was honorably discharged as a Tec 4 on April 20, 1946.      Following his discharge, Ray returned to Ironwood, where he was employed at the Roddis Lumber Co., in the Cary Mine until the mine closed, and at the Ahonen Lumber Co., retiring as a meter reader with the City of Ironwood after 13 years of service in 1987.      He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former St. Michael's Catholic Church, where he sang in the St. Michael's choir and served as usher at both churches for many years. He was also a member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5. He enjoyed flower gardening and working around the house, and was an avid golfer. "Papa Ray" especially enjoyed following his grandchildren in all of their pursuits.      On Sept. 2, 1950, Ray was married to the former Lenore U. Dary at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, by the late Msgr. Michael Prock. Lenore survives.      Also surviving are two sons, David (Jayne), and James (Therese), both of Ironwood; a daughter, Terry (John) Trolla, Hurley; six grandchildren, Jay (Heather) Pawlak, Ironwood, Lindsay (Derek) Potter, DeForest, Wis., Tracey (Andrew) Leiphart, Ironwood, Tony Trolla, Hurley, Gillian Pawlak, Minneapolis, and Michael Pawlak, Ironwood; four great-grandchildren, Audra and Mikayla Pawlak, Jaxon Potter and Emily Leiphart;  a brother-in-law, Stanley Dary, Milwaukee; three sisters-in-law, Kay Pawlak, Ironwood, Sylvia Dary, Ironwood Township, and Betty LaBlanc, West Allis;  and numerous nieces and nephews.       Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Pawlak; and three brothers, John, Lawrence and Sylvester.      Out of respect for Ray's wishes, cremation has taken place.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl J. Pepin, celebrant.      Rite of Committal will take place in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.      Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.      Inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday.      In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, 216 W. Aurora St., Ironwood, MI 49938.      To view Ray's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.