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As submitted by the family:
It is with great sadness to share that our father, John Paul Waisanen, formerly of Paavola, MI, passed away on September 5, 2023, after a brief bout of pneumonia. He was 73. Born to the late Irma (Halvari) and Alexander Waisanen on November 2, 1949, he was one of eight children.
John was married to Rebecca (Shafor) for 27 years, until her passing in 2013. In 1991, they left the U.P. and relocated to the outskirts of Philadelphia, PA, most recently residing in Oley. John secured employment with McNeil Pharmaceuticals, where he eventually retired from.
John was previously married to Kathleen (Oikarinen) Haapala, and they had one daughter.
While he was still able, John loved to travel, going on many cruises with his family. The Alaskan cruise was his favorite. Later he could be found playing multiple games of Words With Friends, challenging some of his life-long friends. Up until his passing, he enjoyed driving his UTV around the property of his home with his faithful companion, his dog Mitzi, at his side.
John was also preceded in death by brothers Matt, Marvin, and Kenneth Waisanen; sisters Ruth Waisanen, Sandra Kotajarvi, and Marion Kaipio; and granddaughter Becca Balash.
He is survived by his sister Helen (Don) Waarala of Niagra, WI; daughter Tracie (Dan) Osterhart of Battle Creek, MI; step-daughters Tabytha (Michael) Balash of Oley, PA; Joyce (Rob) Jost of Las Vegas, NV; Kerry (John) Matteoli of Pottstown, PA; step-sons Gary (Christina) Shafor of Pottstown, PA; and Brian (Jennifer) Waisanen of Summerville, SC; grandchildren Rachel, Hannah, Michael, Matthew, Samantha, Sarah, Robbie, Johnathon, Sabrina, Alyssa, Kayla, Austin, Paige, Hailey, Sara, Justin, Braden, Kameron and Aiden; and one great-grandchild, JJ. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
At John’s request, there will be no public services.
