Joe Pernaski

Joe Pernaski, 88, passed away Saturday morning, October 1st, peacefully in his home with the loving
company of his family in Sheboygan, WI.
He was born in Portage Township in Houghton County, Michigan, to Joseph & Eva Lucille (Downey)
Pernaski.
On July 10, 1954, he married his childhood sweetheart Yvonne “Bonnie” Naomi Skewes. They enjoyed
68 years of marriage filled with love, they lived every moment of life together in celebration of family,
and they were amazing at it. Joseph is survived by his wife, his four children, six grandchildren, and three
great grandchildren.
Joe graduated from Houghton High School in 1954. He worked for 30 years and retired from Kohler
Co.,serving the company’s brass and powerhouse divisions. He represented his fellow workers by
serving as President of the United Auto Workers UAW local #833 from 1978-1981.
He was an avid Great Lakes fisherman and operated a charter fishing business on his boat, “The
Guzzler” from Lake Michigan’s Sheboygan harbor for many years. His true passion was deer hunting with
his family. Aside from fishing & hunting he enjoyed watching his favorite Detroit Lions, baseball, &
hockey.
Bonnie & Joe enjoyed retirement at their dream home on Shakey Lakes in Stephenson, MI, spending
many sunrises & sunsets looking out over the lake and many evenings on the “bingo bus” to have fun
playing the slots and making friends at the bingo hall. Their retirement home was host to decades of
family get-togethers & holiday celebrations where the whole family always gathered there together.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and two older sisters, Mary (Louie) Bellanger and Margaret
(Al) Porkka.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie and children Patricia (Ralph) Gunkel, Kelli (Scott) Kisiolek, Karen Reed
and Joseph (Julia) Pernaski. He was blessed with six grandchildren: Christopher (Emily) & Angela, Paige
(Alex) & Lauren, and Joseph (Allie) & Sydney (Nick). His three beautiful great-grandchildren Audrey,
Jackson, and Jack Joseph.
A private family memorial service will be held.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com