Joseph H. LeRoy's Obituary
Joseph Henry LeRoy, 90, passed away on April 15, 2010 in Oshkosh, WI with his family at his side. He was born February 28, 1920, in Oshkosh, WI to Henry T. and Adabelle (Rutherford) LeRoy.
Joe graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1937. In 1943 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and attended Ground Navigation School at the University of Cincinnati. He had his Basic Air Training in Sherman, Texas; and learned to fly at Coleman, Texas where he was class Commander. He earned his “wings” at Ellington Field in Houston. Joe proudly served his Country during WWII (1944 and ’45) as a bomber pilot flying a B-24 Liberator. He flew 28 missions over Germany and was decorated with an air medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and three Bronze Stars.
After the war, Joe married the love of his life, Shirley Stannard. Together they raised four children. In 1951 Joe joined and went on to operate the family business, Stannard Dry Cleaners and Launderers. He sold the business to his sons in 1982, but continued to work there on a daily basis. He also began a second career selling real estate for Coldwell Banker Schwab. Joe was passionate about continuing with family traditions and celebrations after Shirley’s death in 1989.
Besides hard work, Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, reading and playing cards. He was a founding member and sponsor of Ducks Unlimited (both Oshkosh and Winneconne), Winneconne Businessmen Association, Lions Club, Oshkosh Police and Fire Commission, and past president of the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute.
Joe will be greatly missed by his four children, Cheryl (Paul) Michler, Joe (Joan) LeRoy, and Jim (Donna) LeRoy, all of Oshkosh; and Jeff LeRoy of Nashville, TN.; his eleven grandchildren, Maggie (Steven) Faust, Katy (Luke) Klug, Erin (Justin) Klump, John (Danielle) LeRoy, and Lauren, Clayton, Jaime, Molly, Joe, Hadley and Riley LeRoy; and his five great-grandchildren, Mimi and Carson Faust, Trysten and Kathryn Hazen and Gabriel Klug. He is further survived by his sister, Lorraine Voight; sisters-in-law Joyce Cross and Martha Wright; brothers-in-law Cliff Karrels and Roy Bartel, and a large and loving family of nieces and nephews. Joe’s family loved him dearly and his guidance will be missed.
Besides his wife, Joe was preceded in death by his sisters Helen Putzer, Lillian Bartel, Barbara McDowell and Lois LeRoy.
Joe’s family would like to thank the staff at Gabriel’s Villa and Mercy Medical Center, and also Dr. Chris Rocke and Dr. Robert Weber.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 23 from 4-7 at Fiss & Bills- Poklasny Funeral Home, 865 S. Westhaven Dr. and again on Saturday, April 24 at St. Jude the Apostle Church (St. Vincent's site), 216 W. South Park Ave., Oshkosh, from 9-10 with the service immediately following. Internment will be at Lakeside Memorial Park with full military honors. In lieu of flowers memorials have been established to either Mercy Medical Center or the Oshkosh Community Foundation.
Joe completed his final mission at 05:00 when he joined his wife in heaven.
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