Joseph Nicholas DeCarlo

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Joseph Nicholas DeCarlo, 89, of Ironwood, went peacefully to be alongside his wife Charlotte and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Tuesday morning, Aug. 22, 2017, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born July 21, 1928, in Hurley, Wis., son of the late Nicholas and Frances (Casanova) DeCarlo. He attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1947. He then worked as an apprentice bricklayer for Gust Giancola Construction prior to entering the U.S. Army in 1950 and serving in Korea during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge as a corporal on Sept. 5, 1952, he returned to work for Gust Giancola Construction for 12 years and was a self-employed mason with D & D Construction for many years, retiring due to ill health in 1980. Joe's beautiful masonry work can be seen throughout Gogebic and Iron Counties and throughout the Midwest.

Joe was a member of St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Hurley, a lifetime member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5, where he had served as Post commander, lifetime member of Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580, former member of Gogebic County 40 et 8 Voiture 397, and a member of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local No. 6 of Michigan, having served as past secretary of the union local. He was the director of the Ironwood Blue Knights & Squires Drum & Bugle Corps from the years 1963 until they disbanded in 1980. Joe and his wife Charlotte, along with other Drum Corps parents, created "The Fish Fry" at the Legion Post in Ironwood for an on-going fundraiser for the Drum Corps. Joe managed to volunteer there until 2013. He was also named Man of the Year by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce in 1973.

On Oct. 25, 1952, he was married to the former Charlotte Champagne at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Monsignor Joseph Siefert. She preceded Joe in death on Oct. 15, 2005.

Surviving are his children, Jody (Robin) Schneider, Cheri DeCarlo (Steve Lacy), Diane (Paul) Anderson, along with their children, Cara (Dan) Collins and Catie and Chloe Anderson, Lori (Roger) Kienitz, David (Melissa) DeCarlo, along with their children, Janell (Adam) Smith and Samantha and Isaac DeCarlo, and Ann Marie (Rodney) Batiste, along with their children, Sandrea Batiste and Tandrell Foster. Joe is further survived by siblings, Thomas (Marilyn) DeCarlo and Theresa (DeCarlo) Peterson, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Anne Hammer; and nephew, Jerry DeCarlo.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, with wake services at 6 p.m., at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood. Visitation will then continue Monday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Aug. 28, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant.

Full military honors will be accorded at the church by the combined Ironwood American Legion Post 5 and Iron Co. V.F.W. Post 1580 Honor Guard.

Cremation will take place.

Rite of Committal and inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

Pallbearers will be Joe's sons-in-law and nephews, Roger Kienitz, Robin Schneider, Rodney Batiste, Paul Anderson, Thomas DeCarlo Jr. and Jack DeCarlo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Regional Hospice, 216 Aurora St., Ironwood, MI 49938.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

A special thank you goes out to Jeff Menara, who was a very special "son" to both Joe and Charlotte and who helped in Joe's care while he was at home.

We would also like to thank Avanti, Aspirus, Regional Hospice staff and many others who helped us with our father's care.