Obituary of Wilbur Hugo Juntunen

Wilbur H. "Willy" Juntunen, 69, of Cloquet, formerly of Esko passed away peacefully in St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth on Thursday, January 24, 2002. Will was born in Cloquet on January 28, 1932 to Edwin A. and Esther (Sjoblad) Juntunen. He attended Esko High School and was a part owner of Meadowbrook Dairy. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army serving in Europe during the Korean War. Will operated Northwest Oil Company for a short time and was also employed by Read-Jacobsen, Meadowbrook Dairy and Franklin Foods. Wilbur was a member of Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko, the Teamsters Union, a life member of Hebert Kennedy VFW 3979, was a 15 year member of the Duluth Harbormaster Barbershop Chorus, a member of the Esko Historical Society and was a former member of the Esko Fire Department, Esko Lions Club, Soumi Klubbi Singers and the Soumi Club. He enjoyed golfing and all sports events. He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edwin, Jr., Howard and Thomas Juntunen and four sisters, Bernice Mattinen, Verna Turunen, Marian Ophus and Barbara Johnson. Will is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Brooke (Mark) Eckhardt of Fergus Falls; 3 grandchildren, David, Jonathan and Hannah Eckhardt; four brothers, Raymond (Mildred), Willard (Shirley), Wallace (Donna), all of Esko, and Allan (Irene) of St. Paul; two sisters, Doris (Ronald) Liimatainen of Esko and Carol (Haakon) Andreasen of DeKalb, IL; his former wife, Katherine Juntunen of Duluth and Mesa, AZ; a special daughter, Gail Peil of Cloquet; his Godmother, Irene Sorey of Cloquet; a brother-in-law, James Barthol of Duluth; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation was Monday, January 28, 2002 in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. Funeral services were January 29, 2002 in Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko. Interment was in Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Apostolic Lutheran Church. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home.