Joseph "Joe" Van Schyndel

Joseph Sylvester Van Schyndel, age 74, passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2014 after a long struggle with COPD. Joe was born April 26, 1940 to late Sylvester and Verona (Weber) Van Schyndel. He married Kathleen Farris on August 22, 1964 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Joe was CEO and second generation owner of Badger Metals, Inc. (distributor of heating and air conditioning equipment). Joe was proud of his service as a trustee of the Xavier Catholic School System (formerly known as ACES/Xavier) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Blue Hawk Buying Cooperative. He served in many capacities on the Councils of all of the Catholic Parishes he belonged to. Joe was involved in many different volunteer organizations. He was a member of Ridgeway Country Club for many years, and enjoyed golfing, playing cards and games and traveling, especially trips to Las Vegas with friends and family.

Joe is survived by his wife of fifty years Kit, his five children – Debby (Joe) Welch, Joanne (Jim) Coates, Victoria (Ross) Chisholm, Sue Van Schyndel and Jack (Jennifer) Van Schyndel; thirteen wonderful grandchildren – Cassie and Josh Welch, Alex and Zach Coates, Katie, Sammy and Ryan Chisholm, Jacob Renard-Ver Voort, Chase, Max and Leo Ver Voort, Nicholas and Carson Van Schyndel; his sister Phyllis Gabrielson; his brothers-in-law Floyd (Gabe) Gabrielson and Frank Leahy; and many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Ruth Leahy.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am on Friday, September 5, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 W. Lawrence Street, Appleton with Fr. Jim Leary officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 8:30am until the time of service. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery, Little Chute.

In lieu of flowers the family will direct donations to the Fox Valley Warming Shelter or the St. Joseph Food Program.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Theda Care Hospice Residence at the Heritage for their compassionate care of Joe and our entire family.