Obit: Sweda, Joseph #2 (1926 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Sweda, Paraschak, Egle, Bluemel, Kowalczyk, Lewan, Terlecki, Kaye, Janetzke, Roback, Wojcik

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 4/08/2015

Sweda, Joseph (3 January 1926 - 1 April 2015) With Flag

Joseph Sweda, age 89, of Lublin, WI, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Oakbrook Nursing & Rehab in Thorp. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2015, at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Lublin, with Fr. Ted Wojcik officiating. Burial will take place in Holy Assumption Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Frank Sweda, Harry Sweda, Bill Sweda, Don Sweda, and Marvin Egle. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Panikhida service. Visitation will also be held at the church, on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Joseph Sweda was born on January 3, 1926, in Lublin, WI, to Matt and Anna (Paraschak) Sweda. He was raised on the family farm, received his education at Forest Lake School, and graduated from Withee High School in 1945. After completing his education, Joe entered the U.S. Air Force and served two years before returning home to Lublin. He started a business with his brothers, where they hauled gravel and wood products, and farmed. Joe was united in marriage to Irene L. Egle on September 1, 1951, at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church, in Lublin. He drove school bus for a couple of years, but spent most of his life in politics. He moved to Madison and served in the Wisconsin Legislature for 15 years, where he was appointed the State of Wisconsin Highway Commissioner and later appointed the Commissioner of Transportation. Joe served as a supervisor on the Taylor County Board, as the Town of Roosevelt Chairman, and on the Fire District Board for many years.

He was a member of Holy Assumption Orthodox Church and a charter member of the Lublin American Legion, which he was instrumental in starting. Joe had many interests, especially politics, but also enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing and deer hunting.

He is survived by three sisters: Kathryn Bluemel of Des Plaines, IL, Nettie (Jim) Kowalczyk of Boyd, WI, Pauline (Ray) Lewan of Lublin; five brothers: Andrew of Elgin, IL, Frank of Lublin, Harry of Lublin, Bill of Colby, WI, Don of Rolling Meadows, IL; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene, on April 26, 2011; four sisters: Mary Terlecki, Ella Kaye, Helen Janetzke, Julie Roback; and two brothers: John and Steve Sweda.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.