Ishpeming – Elmer J. Juntila, age 84, lifelong Ishpeming area resident passed away on Thursday December 14, 2017 at the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility surrounded by his loving family.

Elmer was born July 17, 1933 in Ishpeming, MI to the late John and Hilma (Honkala) Juntila. He graduated from National Mine High School. After high school, Elmer worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. at the Mather "A" Mine from 1951 until entering the United States Army in 1953, serving during the Korean War. Elmer was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to Ishpeming and married Shirley Lelvis on August 6, 1955. Elmer had worked at the Snyder and Celotex sawmills, gas company, Bell Memorial Hospital as Supervisor of Maintenance and Holli Forest Products.

Elmer was a member of Faith Lutheran Church where he shared his time and talents to complete many maintenance and construction projects. He enjoyed reading, spending the day in his garage or out at camp working on his projects, spending time with his grandkids and attending their sporting events.

Survivors: wife of 62 years, Shirley (nee Lelvis) Juntila of Ishpeming; three sons-Kirby (Debi Cain-Juntila) Juntila of Marquette, Jack (Pam) Juntila and John (Danelle) Juntila, all of Ishpeming; one daughter-Kathy (David) Richards of Ishpeming. Grandchildren-Olivia and Drew Juntila, Casey and Evan Juntila, and Joshua and Jacob Richards. Sister-Rachel (Bob) Besonen of Ewen and brother-Harry Juntila of Port Orchard, WA and several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Irja and Percy Olmsted, brother and sister-in-law Sulo and Barbara Juntila, and brother-in-laws Fred and Jerry Lelvis.

The Juntila family will greet relatives and friends from 10:30 am until Noon on Monday, December 18, 2017 at the Faith Lutheran Church, Co Rd. 581, Ishpeming. Funeral service will follow at Noon on Monday at the Faith Lutheran Church with the Rev. Douglas Nordquist to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Elmer's grandchildren and nephew Al Olmsted.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Faith Lutheran Church, 180 CO Rd PPO, Ishpeming, MI 49849, other expressions of sympathy may be directed to Kathy Richards, 790 Olmsted Lane, Ishpeming, MI 49489.

The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Lloyd Hooper, staff at Bell Memorial Hospital and Marquette County Medical Care Facility, especially Tami Grobar, for taking wonderful care of Elmer through the years.

Elmer's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .