Joseph J. "Joe" Werchek, 88, Green Bay, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012 with his family at his side. He was born March 1, 1924 in the Town of Eaton, WI, a son of the late John and Marcella Werchek. On March 21, 1949 he married the former Dolorous Hofeldt. She preceded him in death on May 3, 1987. Joseph was a farmer and a butcher for most of his life. He was an extremely hard worker and a gentle kind man who would always be there to help others out. Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman. The loves of his life were his family, friends, and his military service. He gave 11 years to the US Army in the 14th Combat Engineers Unit and Infantry serving in WWII, Korea and peacetime. During his years in the Army he received numerous honors: Good Conduct, Meritorious Unit Emblem, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Bar with a clasp for Germany and Japan, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Bar with one Silver Star and Bronze Star representing six battles he took part in, United Nations Service Medal, Honorable Service lapel button, and Marksman Badge with rifle bar. Joe is survived by his daughter Kim Stone; special friend Betty Kosloski and her daughter Ann Marie (Dan) Charniak; daughter Jill (Edward) Cheslock; foster daughter Paula Vallier; grandchildren: Joel Stone, William Cheslock, Robert Cheslock, Joseph Cheslock, and Sara Cheslock; his foreign exchange children: Alejandro, Maya and Jesper and his great niece Carla Pearce, who he loved dearly. He is further survived by his sisters Genevieve Thayse and Lorraine (Dan) Bruskiewicz; sisters-in-law Betty Werchek, Marian Hofeldt, Jan Arndt; brother-in-law, Milton Besanson; friend Shelly Andrus, who was there for Joe; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Dolorous, parents; and his siblings: Walter, Ben, Chet, Paul, John, Albert, and Frank; brothers-in-law Clayton Arndt, John Hofeldt; sister-in-law June Besanson. Visitation for Joseph will be Monday, June 4, 2012 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Pat Green officiating. Military honors will follow. Inurnment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Werchek family. The family would like to thank Unity, Curative Insider staff, Ann Vogt of Cardiology Associates, Dr. Suzanne Powell of Green Bay VA, ADRC, and Meals on Wheels for all they did to help Joe and his family.