Obit: Lang, Joseph M. (1933 – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Lang, Kowalski, Bernick, Mertens, Kaszubowski, Enkers, Konieczny, Vetterkind, Haufe, Springborn, Volpe, Gutschow, Struck, Beyer

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 27 Sep 2017

Lang, Joseph M. (15 FEB 1933 – 21 SEP 2017)

Joseph M. Lange, age 84, of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, sept 21, 2017, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at St. Bernard – St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Janusz Kowalski will officiate and burial will following in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Thorp American Legion #118. Pallbearers will be: Raymond Bernick, Michael Bernick, Tyler Mertens, Travis Mertens, Joseph Bernick, Jonathan Bernick, , Kevin Kaszubowski and Rodney Enkers.

Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will also be again at church on Wednesday, September 27, 2917 from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Joseph Mike Lang was born on February 15, 1933 in the Town of Withee, rural Thorp, to Joseph and Bernice (Konieczny) Lang. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at Pineland School and Thorp High School. Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army on June 4, 1953, and completed his basic training at Fort Sheridan, IL.

He served overseas in Germany until his honorable discharge on April 15, 1955. Joe was united in marriage to Shirley F. Vetterkind on September 17, 1955, at St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. They moved to Des Plaines, IL, where he worked for Teletype, which later became AT&T, until retiring in 1990. He drove a school bus for the local school district until moving to Thorp in 1996. After moving to Thorp, Joe drove a school bus for Rosemeyer Bus service for several years.

He had many interest, but especially enjoyed gardening, yard work, fishing, and watching the Bears, Cubs and White Sox.

Joe was a member of St. Bernard – St. Hedwig Catholic Church, Thorp American Legion Post #118, and was a former member of the Moose Lodge when he lived in Illinois.

He is survived by the true love of his life, his wife, Shirley, of Thorp; four children: Cynthia Lang of Thorp, Diane (John) Bernick of Des Plaines, IL., Pamela Mertens (Roger Haufe) of Thorp, Joseph Lange of Withee; eight grandchildren: Raymond (Bonnie) Bernick, Michelle (Chris) Sprinborn, Michael Bernick (Melissa Volpe) Tracey (Kevin) Kaszubowski, Travis (Janelle) Mertens, Tyler Mertens, Jonathan Bernick, Joseph Bernick; twelve great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, George Lang; and three sisters: Sophie Gutschow, Eleanor Struck and Theresa Beyer.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.