JOSEPH REED

JOSEPH REED

     Joseph Reed, 82, of Neillsville, WI, died Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, WI.

     Joseph Reed was born Jan. 2, 1941, in Mosinee, WI, the son of William and Mildred (Murray) Reed. He graduated from Mosinee High School in 1959. He worked as a pea viner and bartender, and he also worked on a mink farm, cheese factory, on an assembly line manufacturing Silverstone TVs and stereos, in restaurants as a fish fryer and at Pizza Palace. 

     Joe joined the United States Air Force in March of 1962. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas and Lowry AFB in Colorado. Joe served in the Air Force for 22 years as a unit instructor, flight supervisor, and Detachment Weapons Control System instructor, to name a few. He was stationed at McConnell AFB in Kansas, Korat RTAFB in Thailand, Lowry AFB in Colorado, Myrtle Beach AFB in South Carolina, RAF Bentwaters in England and Edwards AFB in California. He retired as an E-7 Master Sergeant June 30, 1984. He then worked for the Trane Co. from 1985 until 2002 when he retired. After retiring, they moved to Neillsville, where Joe was a member of the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post 73. Joe worked as town supervisor for Hewett Township, along with town chairman, Hap Eddy.

     Joe was united in marriage to Sandra Dobbs Aug. 11, 1969, in Cheyenne, WY. He was a “Jack-of-all-trades.” He enjoyed woodworking and even built a few houses. He also enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, camping, cooking and reading Zane Grey westerns. Joe loved all and he was loved by all.

     He is survived by his wife, Sandra; three children, Wade (Roberta) Reed of Strum, WI, Lorelei (Robert) Kay of Taona, VA, and Roy (Deb) Reed of Rogers, MN; stepdaughters Arla and Kelli and Chrissy, who was like a daughter; 15 grandchildren, Marshall, Abriella, Xander, Emma, Alexander, Zachary, Mikayla, Shawna, Reece, Chase, Ana, Gavine, Josh, Arla and Kelly; seven great-grandchildren; seven siblings, Virgie of Spokane, WA, Kathleen of Wausau, WI, Alice of Mosinee, WI, Margie (Mike) of Mosinee, WI, Billy (Judy) of Mosinee, WI, Wendy (Raymond) of Mosinee, WI, and Brian and Lorrie of Mosinee, WI. He is further survived by special friends Doyle, Randy, Hap and Dahlke, and his best friend was his dog, Geo.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mildred Reed; a son, Joseph Jr.; a sister, Esther; an infant brother, Robert; and brothers-in-law Jim, Milt, Jim and Jerry.

     A celebration of life for Joe will be held in the spring of 2024.

     Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

     The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Joseph’s family with funeral arrangements.