John "Bob" Peyla

Funeral Mass for John “Bob” Peyla, 78, of Biwabik will be 10:30 am Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Biwabik with Fr. Eamonn Boland celebrating. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik. Military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard. Arrangements by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Gilbert and Aurora. Bob died Thursday, August 14, 2014 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Duluth. Bob was born on August 16, 1935 to John and Anna (Majerle) Peyla in Soudan, MN. Bob grew up and attended school in Tower, graduating from the Tower High School, Class of 1954. Following school, Bob worked construction with his father helping to build the town of Hoyt Lakes. In 1955, Bob entered the US Air Force. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended college in Virginia and Ely. Later, Bob attended school in Duluth, studying to become an electrician while working various jobs. He was united in marriage to Frances Korpi on December 17, 1960 at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Eveleth. Bob’s family moved back to Eveleth in 1963 as he was working as a mechanic for the Peabody Shirt Factory. The family moved to Biwabik in 1966 as Bob was employed at Erie Mining Company, retiring after 30 years of service. Bob was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church in Biwabik. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time at his hunting shack and cabin on the Pike River flowage. Bob took pride in maintaining his surroundings at his home, cabin, and shack. Mostly, Bob loved his family. He was known as “Papa” to all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include: His wife of 53 years: Frances; four children: Robbie (Sally) Peyla of Biwabik, Susan (Tony) Licari of Embarrass, Cathy (Dan) Peterson of Tower, and Paul (Janet) Peyla of Elkridge, Maryland; Ten grandchildren: Adam (Sarah) Licari, Sean (Kristina Ekman) Peyla, Brent (Pam) Peterson, Brad (Brianne) Peterson, Andrew (Shaina Holter) Peyla, Danielle (Tim) Herring, and Justin, James, Anna, and John Peyla; 10 great-grandchildren: Gianna and Leo Licari, Ariah Peyla, Maddie, Maija, Carter, Talon, and Tennley Peterson, Katie and Kenzie Herring; one brother: George (Barb) Peyla of St. Paul and Tower; one aunt: Dede Nelson of Hibbing; and a cousin: Patsy Olson of Tower; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Peyla; his mother and father-in-law: John and Mary Korpi; One brother-in-law: Patrick Korpi.