Obit: Wirkus, Joseph P. (1932 - 2016)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Borth, Carmichael, Janikowski, Knapp, Louis, Nowak, Schulz, Wierzba, Wirkus

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 12/31/2016

Wirkus, Joseph P. (16 MAY 1932 - 29 DEC 2016)

Joseph P. Wirkus, age 87, of Boulder Junction, WI passed away December 29, 2016.

Joe was born July 4th, 1929, in Wausau, WI son of the late Joseph K. and Edith Wirkus, the youngest of 8 children, 6 sisters and 1 brother. He married his wife Virginia (Ginny) Borth June 11, 1955. She preceded him in death March 9th, 2000.

He is survived by his children Jeff (Mary Jo) Wirkus, Weston; Laurie (Rob) Schulz, Schofield; Paul (Sue) Wirkus, Weston; and JoAnn (Tim) Janikowski, Schofield. He is further survived by grandchildren; Nicol Wirkus; Lisa (Daniel) Wierzba; Amber (Jason) Knapp; Chad (Renee) Schulz and Andrew Schulz; Ashley (Joe) Nowak; Matt (Jordan) Wirkus; Luke (Melissa) Wirkus; Brock (Meghan) Janikowski; Breanna Janikowski. He is further survived by one sister; Carmelita Carmichael, Florida; 1 brother Daniel (Elsie) Wirkus, Wausau, WI. He also has 7 great grandchildren; Graham, Calvin, Liam, Brooklyn, Carter, Tenley, & Finn.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Carol Marie; 5 sisters; Arleen, Dorothy, Florence, Colette, and Lucille.

Joe grew up on his parent's farm west of Edgar, WI. He graduated from Edgar High School in 1947. On March 1, 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving for 3 years to the rank of Sergeant. His basic training was performed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was then sent to map making school at Fort Belvoir, VA. Upon graduation from map making school he was shipped overseas where he served in the Korean War in the General Headquarters of the Far East Command as an aerial photo interpreter and map maker.

Upon his return to the United States he met his future wife of 45 years, and served the remainder of his enlistment at Fort Bragg, NC with the 82nd Airborne.

After his return from the service he attended UWMC. He worked at Marathon Electric as a draftsman in the engineering dept., then in the engineering dept. in the City of Wausau. For 30 years, he worked at Drott/J.I. Case where he progressed from a draftsman, to design engineer, to project manager and in 1975 he was promoted to product safety manager. As product safety manager, he conducted product safety design reviews, chaired the product safety committee, designed safety signs, edited safety aspects of operator's and service manuals, advisor to design engineering for elimination of product hazards and investigated product accidents which involved death, serious injury, or substantial property damage. He also was an Expert Witness for J.I. Case product liability lawsuits.

Joe belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters and was Past Grand Knight, Sacred Heart Council No. 4628 Knights of Columbus, Hatley, Weston, Rothschild area. Joe was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burns Post No. 388, Wausau, WI. He was Past Commander, The American Legion Post No. 451, Boulder Junction, WI.

After his retirement from J.I. Case in 1989 Joe continued to work on a consulting basis for another 8 years after which Joe and his wife Ginny moved from the village of Weston to their property on Edith Lake in Boulder Junction, WI. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling, but most of all he enjoyed his family, children, and grandchildren. He loved the outdoors.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday Jan. 3rd at St Therese Church, Rothschild. The Rev. Father Louis presiding. Rosary will be from 9 – 9:30 with visitation following until 11 am at St Therese, ceremony to follow at 11:00 am. Burial will be at immediately after the 11:00 am service at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter, WI. Lunch to be served at St. Therese following the burial.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.