Joseph F. Antolak

Joseph “Joe� Francis Antolak, 91, of Chippewa Falls, Wis., died May 8, 2011, at Luther Midelfort Hospital in Eau Claire, surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 5, 1920, in Chicago, Ill., the son of late Clemens and Antoinette Antolak. He was one of six siblings and grew up on a farm in the Bear Lake area east of Chetek, WI. He is survived by his wife, Laura, who he married on November 22, 1951. He is also survived by four of his six children: son, Arlyn and his wife, Teresa, and their two children, Brandyn and Danielle; daughter, Jill; daughter, Jackie, and former son-in-law, Scott Regula; and daughter, Joyce and her husband, Michael Cox. Joe was preceded in death by his two sons, Loren and Edwin, his five siblings, and son-in-law Weldon T. “Bud� Wall III (Jill’s husband). He entered the U.S. Army at the age of 22 and served 4 1/2 years working with and teaching radar during WWII. He was promoted to Master Sergeant within 3 months...a record! Joe possessed extraordinary talents, intelligence, wisdom, sharp wit and enjoyed a wide variety of interests. He was a master woodworker, carpenter, artist, avid fisherman, outdoorsman and hunter. He also loved to read art books, plant a garden, take care of dogs, feed wild birds, watch the Milwaukee Brewers, clip out interesting stories in the newspaper, and listen to polka music. One of the largest muskies he caught on Potato Lake was 42 pounds and about 52 inches long. He built altars in the Catholic churches in Chippewa Falls and made many local signs by hand, i.e., Johnson Monument, Bill's Sport Shop, Horan Funeral Home and others. His great capacity of loving his family was the joy of his life. He made hundreds of beautiful treasured pieces for his family and others. A Memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Horan Funeral Home in Chippewa Falls, Wis. with Rev. Robert Hoekstra officiating. Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday, May 14 at the Horan Funeral Home, Chippewa Falls. A private burial with full military honors will take place following the service at Twin Lakes Cemetery in Chippewa County. His love of family and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed. Family and friends may express online condolences at www.horanfuneralhome.com