Joseph H. Skarlupka III, 77

Joseph Henry Skarlupka III, age 77, of White Lake, died peacefully at home Saturday, May 9, 2015. He was born on June 3, 1937 in the Town of Harrison, Marathon County, a son of Joseph and Marie (Schisel) Skarlupka. He married Georgiann Barten on October 17, 1959 in West Allis. They had 55 wonderful years together.

He was an entrepreneur, innovator and patent holder of designs in the material handling industry. He invented many of the systems and equipment in use today by the United States Postal Service.

He started Skarlupka Manufacturing Inc., White Lake in 1976, a business that continues today under the management of his children. In retirement he continued innovating and served as a valuable resource to the business.

Joe valued education and hard work, two qualities he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He took great pride in their accomplishments and valued the time he spent with each of them.

He was an active community member having served on the White Lake Board of Education, was one of the early members of the White Lake Fisheree, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 662, Antigo and St. James and Stanislaus Catholic Parish - White Lake and Langlade.

His hobbies included collecting antique farm engines and Farmall tractors, hunting, fishing and mushrooming.

He is survived by his wife Georgiann, and five children: Lynn (Rob) D'Amato, White Lake, Joe Skarlupka IV, Cecil, Don (Renee) Skarlupka, Deerbrook, Sue (Tom) Stark, Highland Park, Illinois and Sandy (Randy) Rea, Bryant; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters Irene Frisch, Antigo, MaryJane Fleischman, Crivitz; three brothers George (Carol) Skarlupka, David (Jean) Skarlupka, all of Pelican Lake and Andy (Phyllis) Skarlupka, Merrill.

He was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter Avalon Marilee Reetz; his parents, three sisters, Dorothy Rose, Virginia Laycock and Florence Skarlupka; a brother, Bernard Skarlupka.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Bradley Funeral Home with Deacon James Dennison from St. James and Stanislaus Parish officiating. Burial will take place in Langlade Cemetery. Visitation will be 3:30 - 7 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 5:30 p.m. and a parish wake service will be at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, www.MDA.org.