James Michael Pawlonek II of New Burnside

James Michael Pawlonek II, 46, of New Burnside, died at 4:25 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2020 at his residence.

Funeral services will begin at noon on Friday, March 20, at Felty Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to the service time on Friday.

Burial will be in Joyner Cemetery near Stonefort.

He was born on April 17, 1973 in Quonset Point, Rhode Island to the late James Michael Pawlonek and Joy Ann (Ferris) Meistrell, who survives.

His friends and family knew him as "Michael" and those closest to him called him "Mikey" or "Monkey." He was a certified scuba diver and loved to spend his time underwater, especially night diving. He loved to travel and cherished Furston, his soft-coated wheaten terrier.

Michael moved to northwest Arkansas in the late '90s to advance his career in transportation and went from trucking to becoming a freight broker.

In 2014, he became a student to pursue his passion to help others as a registered nurse. In 2018, he transitioned his education to a business degree with emphasis in logistics and supply chain management.

Michael moved back to his hometown of Ozark in October 2019.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Joy and George Meistrell of New Burnside; five uncles, Mike Ferris of California, Pat Ferris of Montana, Ed Meistrell of California, Tracy Fry of Ozark and Terry Fry of Harrisburg; and an aunt, Patty Gregorio of California.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Michael Pawlonek.