Roland “Joe” J. Clinton, age 84, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at his home in the Township of Bear Creek, Waupaca County .
Roland Joseph Clinton was born on April 12, 1931 in the Town of Lanark, Portage County as the son of the late Joseph and Eugenia (Barden) Clinton. Joe was united in marriage to Dorothy Schertz on November 14, 1951 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bear Creek. In 1955 the couple moved to Berlin where Joe and Dorothy farmed. They moved back to Bear Creek in 1966 where they purchased their current farm, which is now operated by their family. Farming was Joe’s identity. He was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bear Creek where he served on the finance council, building committee, and ushered. Joe was a charter member of the Bear Creek Lions Club founded in 1973. Between 1977 until 1988, they co-founded and co-owned Starlite Bowling Alley, Clintonville. Joe enjoyed watching his farm grow. He grew cabbage for over 37 years and proudly hosted Farm Progress Days in both 1978 and in 2003. In 1992 and 1995, they hosted the Clintonville Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on the Farm. Dorothy preceded Joe in death on February 27, 2007. Some of Joe’s hobbies included playing softball in his younger years, hunting, snowmobiling, bowling, and shooting pool. Joe always kept his faith in his Lord, and will be remembered for the love and support he gave to his family and friends.
Survivors include: his twin daughters, Debra (John) Skyrms, Waupaca and Diane (Donald) Konrad, Clintonville; sons, Thomas (Gloria) Clinton and James (Sue) Clinton, Bear Creek; special friend, Ann Behnke, Clintonville; grandchildren: Shane Young, Melissa (Kevin) Lisowe, Corey Young, Jodi (Erick) Hage, Ryan (Kortney) Clinton, Carrie (Mike) Griepentrog, Brad and Travis Clinton, Krista (Rich) Ingle, Craig (Katie) Konrad, and Casey Konrad; great-grandchildren: Hailey, Taylor, Kylie, Payton, Allison, Megan, Bryson, Carson, Amara, Parker, Sage, Lila, Lee, Ella, and Alexander; sister, Mildred Trice; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Les Behnke, Mathias Ritchie, Bob (Shirley) Schertz, and Jim (Joyce) Schertz. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy, brother Richard, sisters, Rose Behnke, Dorothy (Steve) Schernick, Kate (Norb) Manleski, Lila (George) Garrow, and Eva Ritchie, and brothers-in-law, Leighton Trice and Teddy (Freida) Schertz.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 4, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek with Rev. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville from 4 – 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, and on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Bear Creek Lions Club. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.
Joe’s family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to the amazing staff of Recover Health and to his dear friend, Ann Behnke, for all her dedication and companionship given to Joe throughout the years.