Joseph A. Wender

Joseph A. Wender, 80 of Upper Pine Creek Rd., Iron Mountain, passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center in Iron Mountain. Joe was born December 13, 1930 in Iron Mountain, son of the late Alphonse and Mary (Switzer) Wender. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1948 and was a lifelong resident of the area. Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army in January of 1952 and served his country during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the U.N. Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge and a Purple Heart and was honorably discharged as a sergeant first class in October 1953. Joe married Mary Dorfler, the love of his life, on February 4, 1956 at American Martyrs Church in Kingsford. Joe started Wender Logging, Inc. which he operated for over 40 years, retiring in 1997. He showed a great respect for nature and always took care not to disturb the land or damage trees that were not harvested. He was a member of the D.A.V. and the Order of the Purple Heart. Joe was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting whitetail deer and gardening. He was always willing to donate his time to help others and made family his number one priority. Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary; four children, Dan (Lisa) Wender of Iron Mountain, Linn Wender Kesler of Minneapolis, Gary (Paula) Wender of Iron Mountain and Dale (Louise) Wender of Iron Mountain; a brother, Henry (Sheila) Wender of Iron Mountain; nine grandchildren, Neil and Nicholas Wender, Matt (Liz) Kesler, David Kesler, Calley Kesler, Ryan (Randi) Wender, Anthony Wender, and Chelsea & Whitney Wender; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Moni, John, Simon, Ernie, Edward and Fran Wender and one sister, Evelyn Bilski. Visitation will be held from 11:00am until 2:00pm on Sunday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm at the funeral home. Fr. Joseph Gouin will officiate. Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. Joe's grandsons will serve him as pallbearers with love, honor, and utmost respect. Condolences to the family of Joseph A. Wender may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.