Joseph P. Kuker, 89, of  223 S. Curry St., Ironwood, died peacefully Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, surrounded by his loving family.      He was born Oct. 17, 1921, in Ironwood, son of the late Peter and Anna (Marincic) Kuker of Croatian, German and Austrian heritage. He attended Newport Grade School, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1940. While in high school, he excelled in track, basketball and baseball, and was Senior Class president.      Joe entered the U.S. Army Air Force on Dec. 21, 1942, serving in Europe in the 318th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group as a surgical technician, and was honorably discharged as a private first class on Nov. 2, 1945.      Following his discharge, he returned to Ironwood and attended Gogebic Community College for two years and Northland College in Ashland for two years, where he received his teaching degree. He then taught and coached in the Watersmeet School District for many years, and retired as a correctional officer for the State of Michigan at Camp Ojibway in Marenisco after 13 years of service in 1982. In his retirement, he bartended at the Brite Spot for several years.      Joe was a 50-plus year member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5 and Ironwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1823. He played softball for Rigoni's Inn for many years and golfed in the couples league at Eagle Bluff Golf Club in Hurley. He was a former member of the Ironwood Cribbage League and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood. He also enjoyed going to the casino.      Joe was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be deeply missed.      On Dec. 19, 1950, he was married to the former Doreen Treloar at Holy Trinity Catholic Church by the late Rev. Ambrose Matejik. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past December. Doreen survives.      Also surviving are two sons, Joe (Pam) and Jim, and two daughters, Kristine Kuker and Cindy (Chuck) Vukovich, all of Ironwood; six grandchildren, Kasey Kuker, Rochester, Minn., Julie Vukovich, San Diego, Calif., Katie Kuker (Justin Brownell) and Nik Vukovich, both of Ironwood, and Megan and Ashley Kuker, both of Oshkosh, Wis.; a brother-in-law, Pete Petersen, Mesa, Ariz.; and numerous nieces and nephews.      Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Peter and George "Red"; and four sisters, Marie Kuker, Kathryn Kuker, Dorothy Rea and Annie Tarle.      Out of respect for Joe's wishes, cremation has taken place.      Memorial services will be held Friday, Sept. 2, at 11:30 a.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 10 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Michael Hayden officiating.      Rite of Committal and inurnment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.      Luncheon will be served at the Iron Nugget in downtown Hurley immediately upon return from the cemetery.      In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Ironwood American Legion Post 5.      To view Joe's obituary online, sign his guestbook or express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.