Lee Joe Pavlik

Lee Joe Pavlik was born in Taylor, Texas September 12, 1939, to Lee Patrick and Wilhelmina (Kincl) Pavlik.
He joined the U.S. Navy in 1957 at the age of seventeen. He served four years, most of them on the U.S.S. Marshall, a destroyer where he met Chuck Finney. He traveled to Alaska with Chuck after they were discharged from the navy. While visiting with Chuck in Michigan, he met Chuck's sister Nancy. He married Nancy Finney on April 25, 1964, in Midland. They lived in Houston, Texas for 32 years where he owned a small retail business. In 1995 he retired, and they decided to move to Michigan where they now reside in Freeland.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy and his children, Van Pavlik of Broomfield, Colorado and Barry Pavlik (Christine) of Midland.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joshua Pavlik, Samantha (Ben) Tims, Maxwell Pavlik, Marie Pavlik & Logan Pavlik. One brother Don and a nephew Mark Pavlik.
Great Grandson Tims is due in September.
Lee lost his ten-year battle with cancer on July 26, 2025. He never lost his sense of humor even in the challenging last days.
He was a member of the Saginaw and Midland MAC computer clubs for many years. He is also a member of the Tittabawassee Township Historical Society in Freeland.
His favorite pastime was to find a new audience to listen to his jokes. If you spent any time around him, you always left laughing. We would be remiss if we didn't mention his love of writing limericks a.k.a "Lee-mericks." He thought everyone had a limerick hiding inside them. One that he wrote is:
As you probably know or not know
We write limericks for fun or for show
There is at least one
Inside everyone
Even folks who really don't think so.
He was truly grateful for the support he received through The Midland Cancer Services support group. He made many friends and was able to not only receive support, but to share his compassion and understanding for others fighting cancer.
Funeral services for Lee will take place 11 a.m. Friday August 1, 2025, from Holy Scripture Lutheran Church with Pastor Max Kerr officiating. Interment will take place in West Side Cemetery in Tittabawassee Township. Lee's family will receive friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street, on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Midland Cancer Services, Holy Scripture Lutheran Church or Tittabawassee Township Historical Society.
All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Pavlik family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one.