Joseph Anthony Gareau

Joseph Anthony Gareau, of Gladstone, Michigan (Flat Rock), passed away on December 30, 2019 at the age of 84.

Joe was born September 7, 1935, the third child of Leo and Magdalene (DeGrand) Gareau, and grew up in Flat Rock working on the family farm. Joe graduated from St. Joe’s High School in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Army thereafter.

Following his years in service, Joe began working at Michigan Bell Telephone. On May 7, 1960, he was united in marriage to Mary Elaine Terrien and together the couple made their home in Flat Rock where they raised six children. Joe enjoyed baseball, playing cards, hunting and teasing his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his children:

Carol (Dave) Hirn of Appleton, Wisconsin

David (Cheryl) Gareau of Danville, California

Mary Lynn (Michael) Larson of Appleton, Wisconsin

Janice (Scott) Adams of Jericho, Vermont

Diane (Carl) Crawford of Tipp City, Ohio

Patrick (Kelly) Gareau of Bayport, Minnesota

He is further survived by his sister Doris Schneider of Akron, Ohio, brother Alfred (Sandy) Gareau of Flat Rock, Michigan, 15 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and his wife Elaine’s extended family.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Elaine, parents Leo and Magdalene Gareau, sister Lorraine Rhoe, brother-in-law Don Schneider, step-mother Dorothy Gareau and son-in-law Charles Helman.

Family will receive friends on Monday January 6, 2020, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM, at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites will follow visiting hours, at 6:00PM, at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone, with the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post #71 presiding. Vigil prayers will conclude the evening following military rites. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday January 7, 2020, at 11:00AM, at Holy Family Church in Flat Rock, with Rev. Fr. Glenn Theoret officiating. Luncheon will follow in the Holy Family Church Parish Hall. Joe will be laid to rest in the Escanaba Township Cemetery (Flat Rock) in the spring. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be directed to The Prader-Willi Syndrome Foundation of Wisconsin at P.O. Box 324, Menasha, WI 54952 or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Greater Cincinnati/Dayton Chapter at 4420 Carver Woods Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242.