Arnold "Arn" C. Paivarinta

Arnold Craig Paivarinta August 26, 1954 – March 10, 2026

Arnold "Arn" Craig Paivarinta, age 71, passed away peacefully at his home in Byron, Michigan, on March 10, 2026, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Flint, Michigan, to Alfred and Ellen Paivarinta, Arn grew up attending St. Paul Lutheran School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1976, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany—a time that likely sparked his lifelong curiosity for the world and its flavors. Upon returning home, he spent 34 years as a dedicated car hauler where he traveled 48 states, Canada and Mexico. A true foodie at heart, Arn loved the "road life" for the regional dishes it allowed him to discover across the country.

When he wasn’t on the road, Arn was on the water. Whether he was salmon fishing, golfing, or captaining the family boat to the sounds of CCR, John Fogerty, or his favorite Jimmy Buffett tracks, he was in his element. He lived for the speed of a waterslide at Michigan Adventure and the quiet kindness of caring for animals.

His family will forever cherish the "Arn-isms" that made life fun: the way he’d flip his son Jake upside down to "walk on the ceiling”, the endless hours playing baseball in the yard with his daughter Carla and the legendary strength of his "Electric Lemonade" cocktails when boating on his favorite Houghton Lake.

Arn is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Letta (Rapps) Paivarinta; his daughter, Carla (Jason) Ladd; his son, Jacob (Marek) Paivarinta; his beloved grandchildren, Keller and Kimber Ladd; his brother, Bill (Therese) Paivarinta; sisters-in-law Linda Kett and Laura (Allan) Ekleberry, brother-in-law Bob Cross and many nieces and nephews. Also his special life long childhood friend Ray “Buzz” Davis, special neighbor Linda Paivarinta and his beloved fur baby Pomeranian Bunny. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Ellen (Harju) Paivarinta, sister-in-law Leanna (Rapps) Cross and brother-in-law Lyle Rapps.

Heartfelt thanks to the nurses at McLaren Hospice for their wonderful care.

In accordance with Arn’s wishes, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following charities in his honor.

1) Oswald Bear Rescue- Newberry Michigan (UP)

https://www.oswaldsbearranch.com/

2) Truckers Final Mile: Charity for Trucker families under crisis- such as health, death and home improvements for mobility issues when back home.

https://www.truckersfinalmile.org/