Joseph "Joe" Donald Day

Joseph “Joe” Day, age 81, passed away on November 7, 2024, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and Woodland Court Elder Services. 

Joe was born on August 3, 1943, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin to the late Fahy and Jean (Falk) Day. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1961 and enrolled in the U.S. Army, where he served for three years in Frankfurt, Germany as a Company Clerk. In 1970, while home on a break from college, he met Carol Meyer, the love of his life, and the two were united in marriage in 1973 in Merrill. He later finished his studies in accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Joe began his career as an accountant at Nicklaus Enterprises in Irma and then as Treasurer of River Valley Bancorporation in Rothschild and Merrill. He later worked as the Controller at Interstate Trucking Corporation in Merrill and Controller at PGA Inc. in Weston, until his retirement in 2008. He and his family were founding members of the Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Club, and Joe served as its President for several years. Joe was a charter member of the Merrill Noon Optimist Club and also served on the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Institutional Review Board.

Joe enjoyed spending time at the family’s cottage in Mercer, where he loved sitting on the deck listening to the loons and having evening campfires. He also loved vacationing in Door County. Following retirement, Joe and Carol spent parts of many winters at the SunBird Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona, where he was able to devote more time to his golf game. He delighted in spending time with his grandson, especially having their chocolate milk and donuts. When at home, Joe could frequently be found in his “shop” watching or listening to Packers, Badgers, or Brewers games and tinkering with various projects. Another of his hobbies was feeding and watching the birds that visited his many bird feeders. He was strong-willed, hardworking, honest, kind, loving, caring, and very loyal. 

Joe is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol Day of Merrill; his daughter, Lindsey Day Skeens (David Skeens) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one grandson; and his mother-in-law, Wanda Meyer of Minnetonka, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother; brother, John Day; and father-in-law, Edgar Meyer. 

The funeral liturgy will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Merrill. Deacon Jim Arndt will officiate. Visitation will be held on November 21, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the liturgy, also at Waid Funeral Home. Military honors will be conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 immediately following the liturgy.

The family wishes to thank Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services and Woodland Court Elder Services for the care, love, and compassion shown to Joe and his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Joe’s name be directed to the Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Club or the Lincoln County Humane Society.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.