Joseph J. Templer

DULUTH, Minn. - Joseph J. Templer, 91, of Ironwood, Mich., died early Monday morning, Oct. 26, 2015, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, with his family by his side.

He was born March 15, 1924, in Ironwood, son of the late Charles and Mary (Vantomma) Templer, and graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1942. He then worked at the Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee prior to entering the U.S. Army on Feb. 15, 1943, proudly serving his country in the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe during World War II, and was honorably discharged on Jan. 14, 1946.

Following discharge from the Army, Joe returned to Ironwood and became an apprentice lineman with Lake Superior District Power Co., becoming a journeyman lineman, then foreman, retiring as operating superintendent of the Ironwood facility.

Joe was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and Ironwood American Legion Post 5. He enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Pine Lake and weekly drives with his wife to Duluth, Wausau or Marquette. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was united in marriage to the former Frances C. Cvengros on June 17, 1950, at Holy Trinity Church by the late Rev. Ambrose Matejik.

Surviving are his wife, Frances, of 65 years; three sons, Chuck (Chris), Green Bay, Wis., and Rick (Connie) and Joe (Jackie Zaleski), both of Ironwood; four grandchildren, Alissa (Josh) Jandrain, Stevens Point, Wis., Adam (Erin) Templer, Madison, Wis., and Amanda and Andy Templer, Ironwood; four great-grandchildren, Addison and Connor Jandrain and Elodie and Annika Templer; brother- and sisters-in-law, Ben Cvengros (Doris Scavarda), Bessemer, Mich., Dorothy DeSantis, Sacramento, Calif., and Grace Cvengros, Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Begalle.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Church in Ironwood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Robb Jurkovich, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will be served at Manny's upon return from the cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rick, Chuck, Joe, Andy and Adam Templer and Josh Jandrain.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.