Joseph M. Gavinski

Joseph M. Gavinski 78, Marathon, died Saturday January 21, 2006 at Kennedy Park Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Schofield, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 17, 1927 in Bevent, son of the late Frank and Julia (Stanke) Gavinski. On June 25, 1955 he married Lucille Hintz at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. She preceded him in death July 20, 1982. On August 7, 1987 he married Agnes Starzinski at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel. She survives. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving during the Korean Conflict and stationed in Alaska. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burns Post No. 388 and the American Legion Post No. 469. Prior to his retirement, Joe had been employed with Wisconsin Fuel and Light Corporation. He had been a member of the Marathon Lions and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. As an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel, he was involved in various ministries in the parish. Survivors include his wife, Agnes Gavinski-Starzinski, Marathon, his children, Deborah (Richard) Keranen, Wausau, Cindy Wilke, Weston, Donna Gottung, Wittenberg, Shirley Gavinski, Weston, Julie (James) Mondroski, Schofield, Tammy Joe Gavinski, Weston, 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his step-children, Suzanne (Robert) Metz, Alvie (Don) Lutz, Gary (Janet) Starzinski, all of Marathon, Mary Jane (Robert) Sydow, Marshfield, Betty (Larry) Blume, Marathon, Beverly (Glenn) Kafka, Stratford, 15 step-grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren, his siblings, Irene Easker, Schofield, William Gavinski and Norman Gavinski, both of Bevent. Besides his wife, Lucille and his parents, Joe was preceded in death by four brothers, Lawrence Chester, Raymond and Donald and two sisters, Helen and Eve. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday January 24, 2006 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cassel. Rev. Barnabas Kyeah and Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in St. Ladislaus Cemetery, Bevent. Friends may call on Monday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish prayer service at 5:00 p.m. Monday evening at the Marathon funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital, Wausau Manor Nursing Home, Aspirus Wausau Hospital Palliative Care Unit and Kennedy Park Medical and Rehabilitation Center for the outstanding care given to Joe. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com