Mr. Joseph J. Shunta's Obituary
Joseph J. (Joe) Shunta passed away peacefully on February 22, 2012 at the age of 95 years. He was the devoted husband of Claire M. Shunta, with whom he had been happily married for 72 years. Until recently, he was an eager and faithful caregiver for Claire who is now in an assisted living center. He is survived by his loving sons, Joseph P. (Beverly) of Newark, Delaware, Thomas J. (Marie) of Muskegon, and Denis C. (Barbara) of Sacramento, CA, and by a sister, Anne Blazic, in Indiana. He was the proud grandfather of Laura, Jeffrey, Kevin, and Brian Shunta, and uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Joe, a son of Joseph and Mary Shunta who immigrated from Slovenia, was born in DePue, Illinois, and grew up in Muskegon Heights. He graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1934. He served in the U.S. Army in WWII being stationed in Japan. He believed in an honest day’s work and his occupation was as a machinist. He retired from Kaydon Corporation in 1982 after many years of dedicated service. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Rudy and Frank, and sisters Mary Herrala, Della Selenik and Edie Ripley.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed being with his family at the lake. He took a great interest in his sons’ activities, working with the Boy Scouts and making sure they were all educated. Throughout his life he greatly enjoyed tending his bountiful garden and beautifying his yard with a variety of flowers. In recent years had even taken up cooking. Above all, he will be remembered for his servant’s heart, willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice to help a relative, friend, or neighbor. Joe was a faithful member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church since 1963. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Friday, March 2, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Marian Chapel, with the Rev. Fr. Philip P. Salmonowicz presiding. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, with military rites under with auspices of the Muskegon County Council of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. VISITATION at the Walburn Chapel,1547 W. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441, (231) 759-8565, will be from 6-8 PM Thursday evening, with the Rosary prayed at 6:00 PM. You may sign the family's online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com Contributions in memory of Mr. Shunta may be made to the American Heart Association.
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