Joseph D. Schmelzer 1919-2007

MALLER, BLONG, SCHMELZER, KUHN, JANSCH, KEENAN

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 10/23/2007 at 19:53:32

Joseph D. Schmelzer, 88, a former area resident, died suddenly Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, at Theda Clark Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 19, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Appleton, Wis.

Wichmann Funeral Home, Appleton, was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph D. Schmelzer was born April 5, 1919, in West Union, Iowa, to Arthur and Eva (Maller) Schmelzer.

He received his education in the West Union public schools. He later spent a year at Maryknoll Seminary in Clarks Summit, Pa.

Joseph worked for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture as a federal cattle inspector, shipping cattle to help restore the herds of war-torn Europe after World War II.

On Oct. 7, 1947, he was married to Viola Blong at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas. The couple operated a dairy farm most of their married life, living in Decorah.

In 1993, Joseph moved to the Appleton, Wis., area, where he was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.

He was preceded in death by his brothers John, Raymond, Maurice and an infant brother; his sisters Sister Mary Gertrude, PBVM, Sister Mary Christine, PBVM, and Theresa Kuhn.

He is survived by his wife, Viola; seven children, Michael (Ruth) Schmelzer of Appleton, Wis., Daniel Schmelzer of Colorado Springs, Colo., Eugene (Karen) Schmelzer of Combined Locks, Wis., Arthur (Rhonda) Schmelzer of Decorah, Alan Schmelzer of Chicago, Ill., Jane (David) Jansch of Stevens Point, Wis., and Anne (Tom) Keenan of Hatley, Wis.; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Fayette County Union, October 23, 2007

Additional survivors include two brothers, three sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established in Joseph Schmelzer's honor, with the proceeds to be directed to Heifer International and Gospel for Asia.