Joseph G. Stachowiak, 86, Stevens Point, died Friday, April 6, 2012, at Ministry St. Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point, following a battle with emphysema and pneumonia.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point, with the Rev. Arul Joseph V. officiating.
Burial will be in Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point.
Visitation will be in the St. Faustina Room of the church from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the Mass.
Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home of Stevens Point assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Mr. Stachowiak was born Jan. 26, 1926, in Stevens Point, a son of the late Josef and Magdaline (Bukowski) Stachowiak. He attended St. Peter Grade School and P.J. Jacobs High School. His first job as a teenager was tending to the farm animals for the Sisters of St. Joseph Convent. He went on to deliver furniture for Mirman’s Furniture Store.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1944. He served during World War II, and fought in the Battle of Rhineland and the Battle for Central Europe. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars, two Overseas Service Bars, the Army of Occupation Medal Germany and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorable discharged in June 1946.
Upon his discharge from World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was called to active duty for the Korean Conflict in October 1950. He was honorably discharged from his second tour of duty in August 1951. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star.
After serving his country during two wars and returning home, Mr. Stachowiak worked for Consolidated Papers from 1948 until his retirement in 1990.
He was married to Barbara LeMay on Feb. 19, 1955, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. She died on Nov. 3, 2000.
Survivors include three daughters, Pauline (Gary) Manowski, Joyce (Frank) Kubicki and Mary (Michael) LeMay; all of Stevens Point; two sisters, Margaret Czerwinski and Sr. Madelyn Stachowiak of the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, both of Stevens Point; and two granddaughters.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Motyka and Dorothy Krusa; and two brothers, Daniel and infant Anthony.
