Paul "Cookie" Juriga

Paul (Cookie) Juriga, age 80, of Lawton, peacefully departed from this world on September 28, 2022, to be with the Lord, surrounded by his wife and children in love in his last hours.  Paul was born March 11, 1942, in Munster, Indiana, the oldest son of Paul W. and Dorothy (Keselowski) Juriga.
Paul graduated from Lawton High School in 1960 and attended WMU for several years.  He proudly served in the Armed Forces infantry in Germany for two years in 1964.  He retired from I & M in 1995 where he worked in sales for over 30 years.  He was a lifelong member of St. Mary Church in Paw Paw.
Since then, he enjoyed doing whatever he wanted to do.  Although Paul was a quiet, humble man, he possessed a dry sense of humor.  Most of all, he had a unique bond with his wife and children.  Paul and Mary are the classic example of “opposites attract” and were about to celebrate their 53 years of marriage in September.  Their life was truly a beautiful love story.  Together, Paul and Mary raised three sons, teaching them to cast a fishing line and clean their catch, among many other life lessons.  His biggest joy was his eight grandchildren.  Paul was a devoted father who considered family to be the most important thing in his life after his faith.  He loved his family dearly and was proud of every one of them.
Paul was a man of few words possessing a quit presence.  He had a lifelong passion for the outdoors.  As a child he hunted and trapped with his father and continued as an avid hunter as an adult.  Paul had a special talent for gardening, a trait passed down to him through the generations of farmers.  As the years passed, he became more generous, often sharing his crops with friends and family.  Paul was also quite the bowler, embracing this sport with his teammates over many years.  He enthusiastically enjoyed tending the family vineyard.  He had a strong work ethic.  Paul played baseball since he was a youngster and later coached his sons in Little League and high school baseball.  In his retirement years, he became a master woodworker and made beautiful furniture for his family.
Visiting with family and friends was the highlight of his life.  His “mark” on earth and memories will remain forever in our hearts.
He leaves behind  his beloved family,  Wife, Mary Juriga; sons, Paul (Rachell) Juriga, Stephen (Nichole) Juriga and Thomas Dawn) Juriga; eight grandchildren, Paul, Natalie, Stephen, Matthew, Olivia, Sophia, Sawyer and Sheridan Juriga; sister, Carol (Ray) Scotese and brother William (Virginia)  Juriga along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Juriga.
Family and friends are invited to visit at Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, on Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Church, Paw Paw, at 1:00 pm. with Rev. Fr. Robert F. Creagan officiating. Burial will conclude at Saint Mary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the West Michigan Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or for mass at Saint Mary.