Joseph C. Herriges, 86, of Newburg, was called home to his Lord on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at his residence surrounded by his three children.
He was born May 3, 1920 in Kewaskum to the late Mathias and Lecadia (nee Wilger) Herriges. As a favor to the pastor at St. Michael's, at a young age Joe went to work on the pastor's brother's farm in Montello, WI. Joe later worked at Klunke's family farm and then Pick Manufacturing in West Bend.
Joe was united in marriage to Ethel Kirmse on August 2, 1941 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg.
Joe continued his farming career at the Charles Mayhew farm outside of Newburg where he worked for 18 years. In the fall of 1959, Joe began working in construction at Laubenstein's and then for Bee-Line. In 1966 he began working as a carpenter at Schickert & Schlauser in Milwaukee, where he remained until retiring in 1982.
Joe loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed the time with his grandchildren. In 1968, Joe built an above-ground pool, from a picture postcard, that family and friends enjoyed for many years.
He took incredible pride in caring for his lawn and gardens. He also enjoyed sharing fruits and vegetables from his garden with family and neighbors.
During his retirement Joe enjoyed remodeling his homestead and helping his children remodel their homes. He also enjoyed wood-working, making crafts, and his favorite beverage, Old Timer's Beer.
Dad's greatest example to us was his love of work and enjoyment of life. He would often say, "I enjoy every day!"
He is survived by three children, Sheila (Eddie) Cherwink of Cedarburg, Linda (James) Twelmeyer of Wauwatosa, and Terry (Wendy) Herriges of Newburg; seven grandchildren, Wendy (David) Siedlecki of Glendale, Robert (Stacy) Bast of Shorewood, Joseph Twelmeyer of Toledo, Ohio, Joshua Twelmeyer of Provo, Utah, Julia (Joshua) Lynch of Palm Springs, California, Spencer Twelmeyer of Provo, Utah, and Melissa Herriges of Newburg; and three great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Zoe and Zack Siedlecki of Glendale.
He is further survived by three sisters, Rita Spaeth, Kittie (Bill) Muldoon and Evelyn Herriges; six brothers, Frank (Eleanor) Herriges, Clemence (Edith) Herriges, Gerald (Fran) Herriges, Donald (Joyce) Herriges, Albert (Sandy) Herriges and Andrew (Joyce) Herriges; a sister-in-law, Rosalie Herriges, 52 nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, on July 4, 2006, and a sister, Lucina Kalb, and three brothers, Jerome, Sylvester and Raymond.
A funeral service in remembrance of Joe will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 4:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in West Bend with Father Guy Gurath officiating. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday from 1:00 pm until the time of service. Burial will be on Monday at 11:30 am in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Newburg.