Joseph Richard Shonka, age 77, was
a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and resident of Wisconsin Rapids. He
received Last Rites as his cancer rapidly progressed and passed away peacefully
in the presence of his family on October 19, 2018. He was clothed in the brown
scapular of Our Lady.
Joseph was born in Gary, Indiana, to the late Adolph
and Anna (Strizak) Shonka. He attended Holy Trinity Elementary School in Gary
and then St. Mary’s in Crown Point, Indiana. His High School years were spent
attending St. Procopius Academy in Lisle, Illinois. He started his college
years at St. Procopius College, also in Lisle, Illinois, but finished his
studies at Indiana University where he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in
Economics. His career experiences included Dairy Farming; teaching Sixth Grade
at St. Mary’s School in Griffith, Indiana; Rex Chainbelt (
RexNord
); Pontiac Chair Company; then started a long career in
Insurance Sales with Columbia National Life Insurance Company, Blue Cross/Blue
Shield, AMPI, K.B.B., and finally Allstate Insurance Company. He was a top
sales producer, earning him many awards and incentives. He always loved to
travel about and meet new people. In 1998 Joe got his CDL and became an Over
the Road Truck Driver. He most recently drove for Dan Glodowski Trucking, out
of Rosholt, Wisconsin, up until March, 2018.
Joseph was a talented musician, having been an
accomplished violinist at an early age. He enjoyed the privilege of performing
on live television at age 15. Joseph, his parents and siblings all became lay
Oblates of St. Benedict at St. Procopius Abbey. He also was an avid boater and
loved hunting and fishing. He was gifted with talents to fix anything. His life
experience of growing up around farming allowed him to develop skills in many
areas such as mechanics, building, and designing. There was never a job too
difficult for Joe. Those who knew him
well, described him as being kind-hearted and generous, in addition to having a
brilliant mind, great sense of humor and above-average patience.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Catherine (Bredlau)
Shonka; siblings, Theresa (Michael) Palmer, COL. Bernadette Shonka (Ret.); his
daughters, Jennie (Carel) Koch, Christine (Daren) Mazier, Laura (Paul) Baynes,
and Carol-Jo Shonka; step-daughters, Lori Ann Stetsor and Renae Sigall; his
nephew, Mikey (Amy) Palmer; his grandchildren, Stephanie, Paul, Mary, Colleen,
Matthew, Adam, Katrina, Kyle, Emily, Anika, Claire; and great grandchildren.
Services will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church
in Wisconsin Rapids on Friday, October
26, 2018. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with Mass at 11:00 am. All
attendees are invited to join us for a luncheon at the Parish following Mass.
The family wishes to thank Arborview Court and
Ascension Health Hospice for care and support as well at the St. Vincent de Paul
Community for prayers and outreach over the last couple of months.
The John J. Buettgen Funeral Home/Mid-Wisconsin
Cremation Society is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit
www.HonorOne.com.
