Obituary of Brian Roy Pumala

Brian Roy Pumala, 70, of Winthrop Harbor, passed away August 20, 2022 after a three year battle with cancer. Brian was born November 21, 1951 to Roy and Marlone (Mericle) Pumala. He grew up in Zion, Illinois and graduated from Zion Benton Township High School in 1969. On January 8, 1972, Brian married his soul mate, Joann (Schrader) and in January they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Brian retired from CornEd/Midwest Generation fossil fuel plant in 2007 after working there 37 years.

Brian was very proud of his Finnish heritage and chose to live his life the SISU way. He loved all of his family but especially treasured spending time with all his grandchildren. He was a fisherman and hunter, watched the Bears, Blackhawks and Cubs. He loved traveling with Joann and together they saw the country. He also loved playing cards and spending time with Nancy and Art Creaney -Brian and Joann’s partners in crime!

Left to cherish Brian’s memory are his wife, Joann and their children Kari (James Michael) Cowart and Brian “Skip” (Elizabeth) Pumala; his grandchildren Kali (Angela) Cowart, Reid and Laney Pumala; brother Dale (Arlene) Pumala; sister Karen Pumala; brother in laws George (Carolyn) Schrader, Tom (Lynda) Schrader, Tim Schrader; sister in law Debbie (Jim) Peters; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and best friend Harry (Denice) Beach.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Memorial United Methodist Church in Zion. Visitation will be from 10 am to noon, with a celebration of Brian’s life at noon. The family is asking in lieu of flowers donations are made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Brian’s name