Joseph Chovanec

Passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, age 88. Loving husband to Rita (nee Bigott). Father to Joseph J. Chovanec and Linda (Scott) Athas. Grandpa to Season and Jason Weston, Christopher and Angie Athas, Nicole and Shaun Reise. Brother to Rosemary (Frank) Macek, Lydia (Arnold) Stewart. Survived by nephews; James (Mary) Chovanec, Steve Stewart, Gerard Macek, Dan (Amy) Chovanec, John (Tina) Chovanec and Ian Chovanec. Nieces; Cheryl (Anthony) Day, Lynn (Ron) Damitz, Gayle (Tim) Galaska, Ann Macek and Therese (Rick) Rehberg. Further survived by ten great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his two brothers Frank (Betty) Chovanec and John Chovanec. Joseph went into the Merchant Marines at the age of 16 and served from 1944 to 1950. He was then drafted to serve in Korea from 1950 to 1952. After returning home he worked at the Ladish Co from 1953 to 1993, while serving as the President of the union for 6 years. He retired from the Ladish Co after 40 years of work and bought a home in Arizona where he lived 6 months out of the year avoiding the winter months in Wisconsin. Joseph was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and by 2011 he could not travel to Arizona any longer, and resided in Cudahy. Visitation will be Monday, June 27 at Divine Mercy Parish (800 Marquette Ave, South Milwaukee) from 9 to 11 am with Mass at 11 am. Entombment Holy Sepulcher Cemetery.