Joe Schicker

Joe Schicker age 88, of Ripon, passed away peacefully at home with his wife at his side on Friday, July 3, 2015.

He was born in St. Anna, WI, to Michael and Stella (Karls) Schicker. At the very young age of ten he ventured out on his own and ended up at Ervin and Claire Schwandt’s home in Markesan. He was exposed to Ervin Schwandt’s livestock trucking and started driving semi at fourteen along with Roland and Bernice (MacDonald) and Betty (Runger) Schwandt.

When he was eighteen he was drafted in the Navy and served on the battleship, aboard the U.S.S New Jersey, a part of the 7th fleet in the battles of the Pacific area. The battleship was stationed in Tokyo Bay, where he witnessed the signing of the peace treaty between Japan and the United States. He also walked the ruins and saw the destruction of the atomic bomb.

Upon returning home, he started his own trucking business which is still in existence after 68 years and managed by his nephew Steve Schaalma. In 1955 he married Pearl and they have been fortunate to enjoy 60 years of marriage in March 2015. In 1962 they purchased a small farm and this has been their residence for the past 55 years. In the early years on the farm his nephews (the Schaalma family) lived with them throughout the summer school vacations and weekends and grew up as part of his extended family. During his trucking career he had the honor of becoming the parade marshal of the Truck “N” Show in 1993 which is held at Waupun. His trucks also won many trophies in different categories. He had a 1949 Dodge ton and a half pickup which has always been in the parade, along with his semis. He also had the privilege of appearing on the television on the money game show and won a small amount of money. He was a member of the VFW post of Ripon and received the quilt of valor in 2013. He loved the water and was an excellent swimmer, loved water sports and fishing. He was an excellent card player and enjoyed playing Texas Holdem and numerous other card games. In their younger years, Joe and his wife were excellent roller skaters and also belonged to several bowling teams. He loved dogs and had one special black lab dog (Bandit) for 17 years of his life.

Survivors include his wife Pearl; one sister, Loretta (Otto) Willmite; and two brothers, Michael Schicker and John Schicker; his extended families, the Schwandts and the Schaalmas and many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Clarence (Ellen) Schicker and Leo (Glen) Schicker and his two nephews, Charles and Alfred Schaalma; sisters-in-law Lorraine and Eileen Schicker; brothers and sisters-in-law Peter and Gertrude Schaalma and Larry and Alvera Zimmer and many friends.

Visitation for Joe Schicker will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, from 10 – 12:00 p.m. at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI, 54971.

Funeral Service for Joe Schicker will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon. Louis Bock will officiate. Interment will follow at Bethel Reeds Corners Cemetery in the town of Metomen. Memorials may be directed to the restoration of the U.S.S New Jersey, Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, 62 Battleship Place Camden, NJ 08103.


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