Obit: Halenka, Joe L. (1930 - 2006)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Halenka, Matyacz, Abramowicz, Bitenc, Trepanier, Brazgel, Bonczkiewicz

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI) April 26, 2006

Halenka, Joe L. (August 31, 1930 - April 24, 2006)

Joe L. Halenka, age 75, of Thorp, WI and formerly of Milwaukee, WI passed away Monday, April 24, 2006 at the Clairemont Rehabilitation Center in Eau Claire, WI. A memorial service will be held at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp, WI on Monday, May 1, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Keith Apfelbeck will officiate.

Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the church. Rosary will be at 10:15 a.m. with the service immediately following. Interment will be in Milwaukee, WI at a later date. The Cremation society of Wisconsin is serving the family.

Joe was born on August 31, 1930 in Gilman, WI to Joseph and Cecelia (Matyacz) Halenka. He attended Gilman public schools up until the tenth grade. He was married to Amelia Abramowicz in Lublin, WI on November 5, 1949, and worked as a tradesman for the Milwaukee Millwright Union 2337 until he retired in August of 1993.

Joe is survived by his wife, Amelia: children, Sandra (James) Bitenc of Arlington, TX; Brian (Cindy) of Thorp, WI; Dennis of New Berlin, WI; Peggy of Thorp, WI; and Joseph L. Jr. (Roxanne) of Wichita, KS; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Mary Trepanier; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters, Josephine Brazgel and Ann Bonczkiewicz.