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Joseph M. Sharkey

ONTONAGON — Joseph M. Sharkey, 67, of Ontonagon passed away at Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital on July 30, 2020, from injuries sustained in his tractor. Joe was born on November 2, 1952, to Dr. John D. and JoAnn (Shotka) in Detroit. He was a 1971 graduate of the Ontonagon Area High School where he participated in Football, Basketball and track.

On November 9, 1974, he married his classmate Dorothy J. Stenson. Joe worked for the Ontonagon County Road Commission for 38 years, retiring on December 1, 2012. During his lifetime he enjoyed downhill skiing, fishing on Lake Superior aboard his boat the “Shark’s Ark,” hunting at deer camp, snowmobiling, ATV riding, riding his Harley, and doing yard and road work with his John Deere tractor.

In 1994 his childhood diabetics caused his kidneys to a fail and on May 8, 1995 his brother Jim without question gave him a gift of life by donating one of his kidneys to his brother.

Joe is survived by his wife Dorothy, his mother JoAnn, brothers William (Bill), James (Jim) all of Ontonagon, his sisters Anne (Tim) Scott of Portland, Michigan and Susan (Tom) Shaner of Meridian, Idaho, sister- in- law Diane Yanasak of Ontonagon, Nephews: Chad (Sarah) Sharkey, Jared Sharkey, Kyle Fiszer, Zach (Nikky) Clark, Nieces: Jenna Sharkey, Sharla Sharkey, Mackenzie Shaner, Jetta Shaner. Grand Nephews: Kevyn Joseph Nordine, Jace Sharkey, Lochlan Sharkey Geoghegan, Grand Nieces: Ella Sharkey, Ava Sharkey, Haley Sharkey and Kayleigh Fiszer.

He was presided in death by his father John D. Sharkey DDS, his sister Patricia (Patti) Sharkey and brother-in-law Francis (Fran) Yanasak and mother-in-law Elsie Stenson Ongie.

The Cane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Joe’s wishes were to be cremated and no service. In lieu of flowers anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Aspirus Ontonagon Health Foundation 601 S. Seventh St., Ontonagon MI 49953, Sonco Ambulance PO Box 191, Bruce Crossing MI 49912 or the Ontonagon Fire Department 315 River St. Ontonagon, MI 49953 in Joe’s memory. Joe’s family wishes to express sincere gratitude to everyone at AOH, Sonco, and the fire department.