Joseph D. Schmelzer

Joseph D. Schmelzer, age 88, passed away suddenly on Monday, October 15, 2007, at Theda Clark Medical Center. He was born on April 5, 1919, at West Union, Iowa, son of Arthur and Eva (Maller) Schmelzer. Joseph was married to Viola Blong on October 7, 1947, at St. Luke’s Church, St. Lucas, Iowa. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Appleton.

He received his education in the public schools of West Union, Iowa. He later spent a year in Maryknoll Seminary, Clarks Summit, PA. He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a federal cattle inspector, shipping cattle to help restore the herds of war-torn Europe after World War II.

He dairy farmed during most of his married life, living at Decorah, Iowa. He moved to the Appleton area in 1993.

He will be missed by his beloved Viola and 7 children: his son, Michael (Ruth) Schmelzer, Appleton, WI, and grandchildren, Bob (Bethany) Schmelzer, Schaumburg, IL, and Sarah (Andrew) Birky, Kaukauna, WI, and great grandson, Zachary Birky; his son, Daniel Schmelzer, Colorado Springs, CO; his son, Eugene (Karen) Schmelzer, Combined Locks, WI, and grandchildren, Jacob and Matthew; his son, Arthur (Rhonda) Schmelzer, Decorah, IA, and grandchildren Nicholas Hageman, Spillville, IA, Caitlyn Hageman and Emma Schmelzer, Decorah, IA; his son, Alan Schmelzer, Chicago, IL; his daughter, Jane (David) Jansch and grandchildren, Hannah and Ethan, Stevens Point, WI; and his daughter, Anne (Tom) Keenan and grandchildren Jennifer and Rachel, Hatley, WI.

Joseph was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Raymond, Maurice and an infant brother; and his sisters, Sister Mary Gertrude, PBVM; Sister Mary Christine, PBVM; and Theresa Kuhn. Surviving brothers and sisters are Edmund Schmelzer, Fulton, MO; Alfred (Rosalea) Schmelzer, Waterloo, IA; Mary Agnes Schmelzer, Waterloo, IA; Angela Bagge, Independence, IA; Dorothy (Don) Novak, Waterloo, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Joseph will be held on Friday, October 19, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (222 East Fremont Street) with Father Robert Karuhn officiating. Friends may call on Thursday evening from 6 until 8 P.M. at the Wichmann Funeral Home Tri County Chapel (3212 South Oneida Street) and again on Friday morning from 9 A.M. until the time of the mass directly at church.

A special Thank You goes to Jason Schmitz, Maria Seif, Stephanie, Marlyne, and the entire staff at Heartwood Homes in Menasha, for all the years of excellent care for Joe. It is comforting to know that he was surrounded by people who lovingly cared for him.

Also heartfelt thanks go to Fr. Bob Karuhn, Fr. Norm Krutzik and Fr. Richard Allen for their pastoral care of Joe.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Joe’s honor with proceeds directed to Heifer International, www.heifer.org and Gospel for Asia, www.gfa.org/gift-stable.