Joseph M. Sharkey

ONTONAGON, Mich. — 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 Nov. 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 Nov. 9, 1974, he married his classmate Dorothy J. Stenson. Joe worked for the Ontonagon County Road Commission for 38 years, retiring on Dec. 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 diabetes 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, and brothers, William “Bill” and 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 and Zach (Nikky) Clark; nieces, Jenna Sharkey, Sharla Sharkey, Mackenzie Shaner and Jetta Shaner; grandnephews, Kevyn Joseph Nordine, Jace Sharkey and Lochlan Sharkey Geoghegan; and grandnieces, 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; 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, P.O. 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.