Joseph L. "Pep" Simek

Simek, Joseph L. "Pep" Age 86. Resident of Medford, WI. Passed away on Monday, February 18, 2013, at St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, where he had been a patient for the past 14 days. Pep is survived by his three children Joseph, Jr. (Donna) of San Diego, CA, Lauren (fiancé Dennis Caruso) Simek of Jim Falls and Richard (Ann) of Tucson, AZ; four grandchildren Shannon Simek of San Diego, CA, Quaid (Jenny) Simek of Tucson, AZ, Seth (Nicole) Simek of Los Angeles, CA, and Landin (Tina) Simek of Dripping Springs, TX; and six great-grandchildren. Surviving are two sisters Gloria Olmstead of Medford and Vlasta Cummings of Delta Junction, AK, three brothers Ronald Simek of Genoa, Nevada, Bill (Mary Ann) Noziska of Casper, Wyoming, and Dan (Judy) Noziska of Juneau, AK; also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends. Preceded in death by father Josef Simek and mother Vlasta Simek (Nee Hedlicka). He was a 1944 graduate of Westboro High School. Pep married Fran "Fran" L. Bishop, on August 29, 1947 in Chicago, who preceded him in death on November 1, 2010. Pep served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946, while being stationed in Trieste, Italy. After his return from the service, he worked at Steel Setter, was a Fuller Brushman salesman, a musical instrument salesman and also worked on the shipping/receiving dock at Red Ball Trucking Company all in Chicago until moving to the Medford area in July of 1960. Pep then was co-owner and bartender at Tombstone Tap and in July 1962 he became one of the four founding members of Tombstone Pizza, where he served as Chairman of the Board and CEO until the business was sold in 1986. He then established and currently owns Pep's Pizza in Medford. He is also the previous owner of Embassy Suites/Regency Suites Hotel of Green Bay, Paradise Shores Hotel and Resort, Lake Holcombe, Captain Morgan's Retreat in Belize, and Enerquip of Medford. They also had numerous businesses in several states. The first ever reality series was filmed at Captain Morgan's "Temptation Island" in 1999. Pep and Fran began their Philanthropic Services with donations to the Simek Recreation Center, Medford Fire Department, Medford Public Library, Holy Rosary School, Youth Sports Activities, and helped numerous, numerous individuals in the community. They sponsored the Boy Scouts, bowling teams, baseball teams, curling teams, and other groups in the Medford area. Pep was an avid hunter, fisherman, and traveler. He enjoyed attending Packer Games and boating. Joseph was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford, Premeau-Shauss VFW Post # 7817, Westboro and the Landua-Jensen American Legion Post #147, Medford. In 2012 Pep was inducted into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame. Funeral 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford where full military honors will be performed by the Medford and Westboro Area Military Honors Team. Officiate Father Gerard Willger, Father Dennis Meulemans, and Deacon Joseph Stefancin. Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery, Westboro. Visitation 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, February 22, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford, where there will be a 7:00 PM Prayer Service and also from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made in Pep's name to the Simek Recreation Center, Medford or to the American Heart Association. Hemer Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit: hemerfuneralservice.com