Joseph “Joe” Nadeau Sr., 73, died Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, from injuries suffered in an accident. He was a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a native of Nahma, MI.
For many years since his retirement, Joe has spent the Spring and Summer months in the U.P., and his winters in Louisiana. Those who knew him describe him as a warm and friendly person who loved to laugh and visit with his friends and family. He enjoyed playing Scrabble, chatting and playing games on his iPhone, fishing and shooting pool with his many friends. He had recently started learning to play guitar.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
His survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Robert and Tina Nadeau, and Joseph “Joey” Nadeau Jr., all of Denham Springs, LA; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Carolyn and Al Forbes, Walker, and Tammy and Jesse Lewis, Denham Springs, LA, LaTanya and Timmy Gatlin, Holden, and Jessie Sagataw, Wilson, MI.; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Phil Nadeau, Brampton, MI, Pete Nadeau, Springfield, LA and Bob Nadeau, Denham Springs, LA; and two sisters, Roberta Williamson, Sumrall, MS., and Carol Gagnon of Walker, LA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Earline Whittington Nadeau; parents, Robert and Cecelia Boursaw Nadeau; two brothers, George Nadeau and Tony Nadeau; and two sisters, Theresa Nadeau and Sally Strate.
Memorial services will be held at Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone on Thursday, September 29 at 10:00 AM. with Mike Balenger officiating. Military rites conducted by the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 will follow.