Michael Allen “Mike” Pawlisa, age 77, of Central City, Illinois, passed away at 9:45 P.M. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Marion, Illinois. He was born on February 23, 1945, in Centralia, Illinois, the son of August and Pauline (Amidei) Pawlisa.
Mike is survived by his loving family; brothers, Tom Pawlisa of Central City, Illinois, and Augie Pawlisa and wife Carol of Central City, Illinois; sisters, Joan Hoffman of Central City, Illinois, and Gayle Ziegler of Champaign, Illinois; many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Steve Hoffman of California; great nephews and great nieces; cousins, and special friends, Steve Hardy of Walnut Hill, Illinois, and Cope Copeland of Centralia, Illinois.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, August Pawlisa and Pauline Pawlisa; brothers, Richard Paul “Dick” Pawlisa and James David “Jim” Pawlisa; brothers-in-law, Ron Ziegler and Bob Hoffman, and sister-in-law, Patricia “Pat” Pawlisa.
Mike grew up in Central City, Illinois, and graduated with Centralia Township High School’s “Class of 1963”. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War from October 25, 1965, until October 15, 1967. Mike retired in 2010 from the City of Centralia, serving in the Sanitation Department and earlier in the Water Department, after 25 years of service. Earlier in his life, he worked construction under the Central Labor Union in Centralia, Illinois. He lived most of his life in Central City, Illinois.
Mike and his brothers would visit their sister Joan’s home every morning for coffee and then the brothers would take a ride together. He loved his Coca-Cola and cigarettes each day of his life. He was a big-time NASCAR fan and truly a fan of Dale Earnhardt. He enjoyed sitting out on the lake and fishing on Augie’s Pond with his brothers, Jim and Augie. He cherished the time he spent with his family
A Graveside Memorial Service for Mr. Michael Allen “Mike” Pawlisa will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois, with Monsignor David Darin officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to Hillcrest Memorial Park on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Inurnment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park with Military Honors accorded by the Centralia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2055 and Centralia American Legion Post 446. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mike’s honor to the Centralia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2055 or Centralia American Legion Post 446 and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Mr. Pawlisa’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.
