James "Joe" Joseph Havey

James “Joe” Joseph Havey was welcomed into his Father’s loving arms on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, after losing his battle with cancer. He died at home surrounded by his family.Joe was born on February 21, 1928, at home in Rosendale, the third child of John Lewis and Cecelia Gagan Havey. He was raised on the family farm outside of Rosendale and was a member of Springvale Catholic Church. He graduated from Rosendale High School in 1946. Joe served as a cook with the United States Army in Germany from 1950-1952, attaining the rank of corporal.On May 15, 1954, James and Mary Gobernatz were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fond du Lac, and soon afterward began raising their children. In 1961, they built their home where they resided until his death. Joe worked as a machinist at Giddings & Lewis for over 40 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Holy Family Parish, for many years.He was a farmboy from his youth, and enjoyed being outside. He hunted for years and loved working in the garden. He was an avid newspaper reader until his vision failed, and it was not uncommon for him to have three subscriptions at one time. Joe was a meticulous record keeper, and was blessed with an incredible memory. He knew to the dollar how much he took from the casino each year.Joe did not travel much during his working years, but he and Mary made up for that later. They took trips all around the world, including to his beloved Ireland. Wherever he went, Joe always had a cup of coffee with him, the hotter the better. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Havey; six children: Margaret “Peg” (Jim) Potratz of Oshkosh, Thomas Havey of Phoenix, Laura (Joe) Wagner of Glenbeulah, Michael (Gail) Havey of Beaver Dam, Daniel Havey (Jeanne Lunn) of Phoenix, and Joseph (Joan) Havey of Slinger; 12 grandchildren: Jesse (Stacy), Benjamin (Sarah), Alexander and Kelly Potratz, Leah, Andrea, Anthony, and Bradley Wagner, Christopher (fiancée Heather) and Michelle Havey, Ryan and Lauren Havey; one great-grandchild, Katelyn Potratz. He is further survived by three sisters: Agnes Brazee of Denver, CO, Kathleen Morgan of The Villages, FL, and Rose Cooper of Waukesha, WI; three sisters-in-law: Laurie Havey of Fond du Lac, Hildy (Bob) Boor of Athens, WI, and Immy Kalmon of Ashland, WI; many nieces and nephews, and numerous long time friends.He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law, Francis and Walburga Beck Gobernatz; one brother, John Havey; one sister, Mary Cook; one sister-in-law, Violetta Havey; his wife’s sister, Ann Acker; his wife’s brother, John Gobernatz; three brothers-in-law: Russell Cook, Sam Brazee, and William Cooper; his wife’s brothers-in-law: Ray Acker and Allen Kalmon.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2011, at Sacred Heart Church of Holy Family Parish. Burial will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Springvale, at a later date.Visitation for Joe Havey will be on Saturday at church from 8:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Hospice Home of Hope, Fond du Lac.James Joseph Havey had a life that most of us can only hope to aspire to. He had a good job, a large, loving family, and a place to call home. He had an incredible mind and his health until the very end. As a family, we grieve our loss, but we also celebrate a life well lived. May your vision be clear, and your steps be strong. May the deer be slow, and the coffee always hot. May you bask in the warmth of God’s love.

James "Joe" Joseph Havey

February 21, 1928 - May 31, 2011