Surnames: Wedl, Gross, Leabel, Voight

The Loyal Tribune 09 July 1942

Wedl, Joseph "Joe" Frank (25 NOV 1884 - 26 JUN 1942)

A solemn requiem High Mass was sung at 9 o’clock Tuesday morning at St. Anthony’s Catholic church for Joseph Wedl, who dies June 26. The Rev. Pius Leabel, C. P., of Sierra Madre, Cal., was celebrant of the mass; the Rev. William Hennen of West Allis was deacon and the Rev. Aloys Zinthefer served as sub-deacon. Relatives of the deceased acted as altar ministers. Pallbearers were Mrs. Wedl’s brothers, George, William, Nick, Mike, Matt, Ed, Philip and Bernard Beaver.

Through the years Joe Wedl had endeared himself to the hearts of all. He came to Loyal in the spring of 1901 from Mazomanie with John Haas, for whom he worked for several years. He was born on Nov. 25, 1884, at Jefferson, where his highly respected family is well known. He attended St. John’s Catholic school. After coming to Loyal, he continued in the employ of Mr. Haas and later worked with John Goethe of the Loyal dray line. On Nov. 23, 1910, he married Mrs. Susan Leabel of Loyal.

Mr. Wedl, known familiarly as "Joe," was universally liked, for he was ever thoughtful of others and his generous character won him a host of friends. Mild mannered, he quietly went his way, never meddling in others’ affairs, but ever ready to help when the occasion offered. A great faith in human nature especially characterized him, he believed in his fellowmen; trusting all, he was always open, frank, sincere and essentially honest. His word or promise was inviolate. His ready smile and kind greeting will long be remembered. He was a tireless worker, rarely taking a vacation. In 1936 he took over the Kreiser farm and later the Ford farm to improve both and ranking as a most successful farmer.

His devotion to his family was extraordinary and daily proved itself in tender interest and most solicitous care in every way. His ideals of family life were the highest, and he daily lived them; forgetful of self, he was more concerned about the happiness of others.

Business associates invariably respected him for his high integrity. As a citizen, he was ever ready to forward community interest and share in any common burden. Peace-loving, he wanted harmony; he had no one for an enemy but all as friends.

During recent months he planned to retire from his strenuous work and made provisions to do so. A new home was purchased, modernized in every way to provide a much needed rest. But the years of hard work had proved too exacting. Stricken with a heart attack during the last days of May, he quietly passed away June 26, at his home, comforted with all the rites of his church. The Angel of Death found him ready for his life had been full and rich as the many tributes of friends and neighbors testified. He left footprints in the sands of time, that not rain of wind or storm can erase; his name and life will ever be a pleasant memory. May he rest in peace and live joyously with his God, whom he served so well, is the prayer of his wife and children; Mrs. Susan Wedl; the Rev. Pius Leabel, C. P., of Sierra Madre, Cal.; Mrs. P. F. Voight of Loyal, and Mrs. C. A. Gross of Los Angeles, Cal.

Among those from out of town who were present at the funeral were: the Rev. Pius Leabel, C. P. of Sierre Madre, Cal.; Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Gross of Los Angeles, Cal., and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Wedl, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Fisher, Mrs. Robert Niebler, Mrs. Ed Hennen, Mrs. Gertrude Schekelman of Jefferson, brother and sisters of the deceased.

Also from Jefferson came Peter and Mrs. John Vogel; from West Allis, the Rev. William Hennen.

Present also were John Paulus, Art Paulus, Mrs. A Keil, Mrs., Elsie Heicher and Mrs. Donald McNab, all of Chicago, Mrs. Helen Schmitz, Miss Lydia Nelson and Leo Nelson, all of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Kreiser, Wausau; Mrs. J. Sally and daughter Katherine of Stevens Point; Mrs. Fred Nipert of Des Moines, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Grier and Joseph Poeppel, Marshfield; Albert Schiferl, Hewitt; Mr. and Mrs. George Beaver, Granton; Edwin Fandry, Abbotsford; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Beaver, Watertown, and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Bauer, Auburndale.

The Tribune joins the many friends of the bereaved in extending sympathy.

(Note: Following is a token from Joe's Bar in Loyal that was found recently by Carol and Roy Kaisler)

Also, from a book, "A Paratrooper Remembers," by Glen Drake, the following is an excerpt:

"The Krauts were still sending in their buzz bombs in 1953.  One day I was standing on the sidewalk in front of Colby's Store in my home town, Loyal (Clark Co., Wis.), when one of the buzz bombs came in right over Joe Wedl's Tavern.  The motor stopped and I knew it was coming down, so I hit the dart and "Boom" I woke up.  I had whacked the bridge on the edge of the night table and had a big nose and two black eyes for a week."

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