Paul Edward Jokela

Paul was born on March 14, 1941, in Escanaba, Mich. He was the youngest of four sons of John and Bertha (Kaminen) Jokela of Rock, Mich., where he grew up. He graduated from Rock High School in 1959 and served in the U.S. Army for two years. While serving in the military in St. Louis, M0., he met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Trenthem, whom he married on Aug. 1, 1963.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Science Degree as an Instructional Assistant in Education from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich., in 1967. He later earned certifications in counseling, instruction and supervision from the University of Wisconsin.

He was employed for more than two years with the Michigan Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Menominee and Dickinson counties. For nearly 29 years, Paul worked as an instructor and counselor in adult basic education at Northcentral Technical College in Antigo, retiring in 1999. He devoted his career to helping youth and adults earn high school equivalency degrees and find employment. Paul was instrumental in creating legislation that raised proficiency standards for a general education degree (GED) in Wisconsin.

In addition to being a loving husband, father and grandfather, Paul enjoyed helping people and bringing joy to others. He always had a song to sing, a joke to tell, or a silly antic to make others laugh. He was proud of his Finnish heritage. Paul was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and its choir and was a member of the men’s barbershop chorus in Antigo. During his retirement years, he volunteered at local nursing homes where he visited residents and played his harmonica. He enjoyed baking bread and also liked playing cribbage with his internet friends.

Paul is survived by: a son, John (Chi) Jokela of Schofield, Wis.; a daughter, Pevla Osborn of Antigo; five grandchildren, Alexis, Hannah, Zachary, John and Ryan; several cousins, nieces and nephews and their families; and many friends.

Paul was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife; and three brothers, George, Harold and Allan.

The Bradley Funeral Home in Antigo assisted Paul’s family following his death.