Joseph “Uncle Joe & Big Joe” F. Develice
Joseph “Uncle Joe & Big Joe” F. Develice
Joseph “Uncle Joe & Big Joe” F. Develice, 77, of Fond du Lac, died Monday, July 27, 2015 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was born to Merrill “Spike” and Mildred (Guell) Develice on December 25, 1937, in Fond du Lac. Joe was a graduate of Goodrich High School. On June 30, 1979, Joe married Barb Jaber at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fond du Lac.
Joe served 2 years in the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis. He continued his military service in the Wisconsin National Guard, 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Division for the next 8 ½ years. For 13 years, Joe worked for Mercury Marine. He went on to become a Business Representative for District #10 Machinists Union from which he retired after 20 years in January of 2000. Joe was an active member of many organizations; Ducks Unlimited, Sturgeon for Tomorrow Southwest Chapter, Fond du Lac Hockey Unlimited, Eagles Aerie #270 of Fond du Lac, and American Legion Trier-Puddy Post #75. Joe served as a past president for the Fond du Lac Bowling Association, Mercury Marine Morning Bowling and Golf League, State Wings over Wisconsin, Sacred Heart Booster Club for Kids, and Eagles Aerie #270. He was a past secretary/treasurer for Wings over Wisconsin – Eden Chapter, Whitetails – Fond du Lac, Morning Softball League, and the Hall of Fame Fond du Lac Bowling Association.
Joe worked hard to get different leagues (softball, bowling, golf, pool, and trap shooting) started for people that worked night shifts. In 1973, Joe helped organize the morning modified pitch league. Joe loved to hunt and fish. And he loved those Green Bay Packers!
Joe is survived by his wife, Barb; sister, Arlene (Raymond “Jim”) Borzick; mother-in-law, Gladys Jaber; brothers-and-sisters-in-law; Gerry Develice, Carolyn (John) Broennimann, Charmaine (John) Luczak, Roger (Gale) Jaber, Ralph (Vycky) Jaber, Christine (Don) Lefeber, Paulette (Gordy) Schneider, Bruce (Mary) Jaber, LuAnn Hettenhaus; his Godchildren, Tom (Trina) Develice and Susie (Mike) Puddy; and good friends, Jerry and Fritz Boda, Bill (Cindy) Ryan, Dr. Bob (Jamie) Mikkelsen, and John (Ann) Binotto. He also is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, his father in law, Nicholas (Shaffy) Jaber; and 3 brothers; Stan, David and Raymond.
Visitation for Joe will be held Monday, August 3, 2015 from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave. in Fond du Lac. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 10:00 AM, Sacred Heart Church, 678 Western Ave. in Fond du Lac. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass. Entombment will take place following Mass at Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery, 686 Fond du Lac Ave. in Fond du Lac. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Army and the American Legion – Trier Puddy Post #75.
A special thanks to Dr. Sergi (Aurora), Dr. Hari (Froedtert), Dr. Lundberg, Dr. Troicki, Dr. Tuveson, Dr. Michelson and the entire staff at the Agnesian Cancer Center and Hospice Hope for the caring and kindness showed to Joe.
Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com