John R. Juntti, Jr.
John R. Juntti, Jr.
MARQUETTE, MI – John R. Juntti, Jr., 87, of Ishpeming, died Wednesday at 12:02 A.M, October 14, 2020, at the Marquette County Medical Care Center. His battle with serious medical issues showed his courage in facing life’s challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, John always came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. Everyone would always tell him he looked good to which he always replied, “That has never been my problem”. He was a proud Patriarch of a small but close-knit family.
He was born April 4, 1933, in Ishpeming, a son of John R. and Aune (Wallin) Juntti, Sr. He was a 1951 graduate of Ishpeming High School and was a member of the 1950 Ishpeming High School basketball team which won the state championship.
John married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth “Liz” Gall in Ishpeming on October 15, 1955 and were married just one day shy of 65 years.
He was a lifelong area resident. John Juntti, Sr. started Juntti’s Service in 1945 and passed that business to John Jr. in 1962, where he operated the business to 1989 when he passed the business to his son, Steven Juntti.
John served in the US Coast Guard and was stationed on Stannard Rock. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, was a member of the Marquette Masonic Lodge and was a Daughter’s Rite, Ahmed Temple Shriner. John also served as Past Potentate in the Shrine. He was a past member of the VFW, Elks Lodge, Wawonowin Golf Club and the Ishpeming Archery Club.
He loved hard, worked hard and played hard throughout his life. He enjoyed towing vehicles, hot saunas, fishing, hunting and spending time at their camp on Helen Lake. He was an avid Green Bay Packer football and baseball Detroit Tigers fan.
John is survived by his wife, Liz Juntti of Ishpeming; children, Kathy (Doug) Lewis of Florida & Texas and Steven (Vicky Washburn) Juntti of Champion and grandchildren, TJ Baker of Ishpeming and Lorissa (Gage Laitinen) Juntti of Ishpeming.
He was preceded in death by his parents and mother & father-in-law, Harry and Mafalda Gall.
A memorial service may be held at a later date and will be announced.
Canale & Pennock Funeral Service in Ishpeming is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalepennock.com