Obituary: Sharon C. Quinlan

Sharon C. Quinlan, 67, a resident of Venice, Florida, and former Tapiola resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the Venice Hospice House with her husband Jim, by her side. She died unexpectedly after a brief hospitalization for an infection that led to an acute cerebral vascular accident.

Sharon was born on July 12, 1951, to Axel and Mae (Karvonen) Peterson of Tapiola.   She was raised in Tapiola and attended the Doelle School. She graduated from Chassell High School in 1969, and from Finlandia University in 2002. She was a resident of Venice, Florida at the time of passing, while spending summers in Houghton.

Sharon was a loving wife, mother, and community member who enjoyed serving others and advocating for persons with disabilities. Her lifelong dream was achieved in obtaining her Bachelor’s degree. She was so happy to retire to a fun, vibrant, and sunny community in Florida.  She cherished her dog Niko, spending time with her grandchildren, and serving up her delicious homemade apple pie.

She was preceded in death by her parents Axel and Mae Peterson; an infant brother David; and her beloved son, Derek.  She is survived by her husband, Jim of Venice Florida; her children, Janelle (Kevin) McDonough of Marquette, Rhonda (Matt) Wirtanen of Palmer, Alaska, Brandon (Erin) Juntunen of Tapiola, Matthew (Anna) Juntunen of Tapiola, Brock (Renee) Juntunen of Battle Ground, Washington, Jordan (Savanna) Juntunen of Houghton; her step-children, Jennifer (Jeff) Wisti of Cleveland, Tennessee, Malinda (Chad) McDonald of Charlestown, West Virginia, Anita (Pete) Gallagher of Clarkston, Michigan, Kimberly (Greg) Courtney of Schoolcraft, Michigan, Trevor (Lena) Quinlan of Escanaba, Michigan, and Chad (Megan) Quinlan of Mancelona, Michigan; 45 grandchildren; two step grandchildren; four great grandchildren; her sisters, Peggy (Jim) Freers of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Judy Hunter of Tucson, Arizona, and Susan (Jack) Fedorko of Aguilar, Colorado.

Funeral services for Sharon will be held at 12 p.m. on May 11, 2019, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, with Pastor Jesse Aho to officiate. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Burial will be in the Karki Hill Cemetery. In lieu in flowers, memorials may be made to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, 527 Hancock Street, Hancock, MI 49930, in the name of Sharon C. Quinlan. Arrangements are being handled by the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home of Hancock, Antila Funeral Service, Inc.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.