Arthur Ronald Pihlaja, 81, of Mass City (East Branch) Mich., died Sat., April 19, 2014, at Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care, Glenview, Ill ., surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born on July 11, 1932, on his family's farm in East Branch. He attended the one-room East Branch school house, and spent most of his life on the farm, which his parents, Mikko and Hilda (Laanto) Pihlaja homesteaded in 1919. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing cribbage, fishing, hunting and cultivating his land (Riverside Acres) at the end of the road. Art was proud of his Finnish heritage, preserving the customs and language like a native Finn.

Art served in the Korean Conflict. As a Staff Sergeant, he fought in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. He was injured but returned to the front lines. In 1953, when the war was over, he returned home to East Branch and married Donna (Koivu) in 1954. Together, they operated the family farm, and raised four children: Michael (Ann) Pihlaja, East Branch; Cindy Russell, Lansing, Mich.; Sandra Pihlaja, Trevor, Wisc.; and Peggy (Matthew) Banach of Grayslake, Ill.

During his lifetime, he worked tirelessly as a logger and sawyer, a construction worker, and an employee of White Pine Copper Mine. But farming was his true passion. He loved the land, where he logged and hand crafted his home, barn, sauna and outbuildings. After retiring from White Pine Copper Mine, he and his son managed Riverside Acres for over 30 years.

He is survived by his children, two sisters; Taimi Saaranen, Waterford, Mich., and Helen (Tom) Brill, of Clinton Twp., Mich.; seven grandchildren; Daniel (Kristy) Pihlaja, Traverse City, Mich., Jeri Pihlaja, Hinesville, Ga., Erin (Travis) Russell, Holt, Mich., Adam (Tammy) Duchow , Appleton, Wisc., Kathryn McAllister, Hudsonville, Mich., and Emily and Olivia Banach, Grayslake, Ill; and four great-grandchildren; Isaac, Emma and Alex Pihlaja, Traverse City, Mich.; and Lilianna Duchow, Appleton, Wisc., and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; his second wife, Lilly (Speiser); his parents; his brother; Sulo Pihlaja, whom he cared for throughout his life; brothers – Toivo and Arvo Pihlaja; sister - Tyne Keto; and infant sister, Aino.

As friends have said, "Art went home to his forever farm near the top of the hill on the East Branch Road-- back to his home, a place that he loved, cherished and shared with friends and family throughout the years. Remember him as a good man, loving person and true friend."

Art's memorial service will be held on Sat., April 26, 2014, at Cane Funeral Home, 310 N. Steel St., Ontonagon, Mich., with visitation from 1 to 3 p.m., and services to follow. Art's family is grateful to all the caregivers who supported him and helped him navigate during this difficult journey.

Friends are welcome to join the family as they celebrate his life at a luncheon following the funeral at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1409 Ridge Rd., Mass City, Mich.