Obituary: Joseph H. Schmelzer

April 28, 1931 ~ January 9, 2021

Joseph H. Schmelzer, 89, of Sturgeon Bay, died on Jan. 9, 2021 at Allouez Parkside Village.  He was born April 28, 1931 in Sawyer to George and Catherine (Schlise) Schmelzer.  He attended St. Joseph Catholic Grade School and graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War.

Joe had worked at Ballo Ford Garage, Ed Olson Construction, Palmer Johnson Boats, Carpet Cutter Inc. and Peterson Builders Inc.   He was a member of Corpus Christi Church, and a member and past chaplain of the American Legion Post #72 of Sturgeon Bay.  He also worked as a sexton for St. Joseph Cemetery for several years.

Joe loved hunting, fishing and gardening.  He especially enjoyed helping others and spending time with family, grandchildren and friends.

He is survived by his daughter Sigrid (Chuck) Weber of Sturgeon Bay; grandchildren: Sadie Weber and Sam (Liz) Weber; sister Ruth Potier, and sister-in-law Arlene Schmelzer; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Delbert (Thelma), William (Gloria), Wilmert “Daw”, and Anthony “Tony”; sister Marion (Bernard) Lienau; brother-in-law Leonard Potier; aunts and uncles.

Private family services will be conducted at the Forbes Funeral Home.  Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors.  Memorials may be directed to: St. John Bosco School Student Tuition Assistant Program (730 W. Maple St. Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235) or Friends of Potawatomi State Park (3740 Park Dr. Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).