Sulo William Juntunen

MADISON-Sulo William Juntunen, age 93, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at St. Marys Hospital in Madison. He was a resident of Ontonagon, Mich. for most of his life, residing on the family farm in Woodspur until 2006. At that time, due to health issues, he moved to the Madison area to be close to his niece, Carol Nimlos, who was his primary caregiver until the time of his death. Sulo was born on Oct. 20, 1917, in Trimountain, Mich., the son of Krist and Hanna (Pyykkonen) Juntunen. They moved to the Woodspur farm when he was very young. He attended Ontonagon County Schools and was a 1936 graduate of the Ontonagon High School. As a young man he worked installing power lines between Ontonagon and Houghton before being drafted into the U.S. Army. During World War II he served honorably in Europe, primarily in France, with medical, military police, and transportation units. He received the Victory medal, The American Theater Ribbon, The European-African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct medal and overseas service bars. After being discharged he returned to Ontonagon where he assisted his mother in the operation of the family dairy farm. In 1956, he began employment with the Champion Packaging Mill in Ontonagon, retiring as a pipefitter leader in 1980. Sulo was a member of the Ontonagon VFW and held golden eagle status with the Ontonagon Aerie of Eagles. He was an excellent horseshoe player and won many individual and team trophies in matches throughout the Upper Peninsula. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Helen Halme, Sylvia Malila, and Onerva Juntunen; one brother, Toivo, who died as a child; and his special cousin, Rachel Haney. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, 2011, with the Rev. Cynthia Bacon presiding. A memorial service will be held in Ontonagon, Mich. later in the spring with interment at Riverside Cemetery. The family is grateful to all the staff at Angelus Assisted Living, and Oak Park Place II for their care of Sulo during the past several years. A special thank you is due to the nurses and social workers at 4 East, St. Marys Hospital, for their compassionate care during his final illness. Service: Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, 2011, with the Rev. Cynthia Bacon presiding. A memorial service will be held in Ontonagon, Mich. later in the spring with interment at Riverside Cemetery.