Joseph John Meicher

 Joseph John Meicher, age 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg.   Joe was a person of strong faith who enjoyed attending daily Mass as often as he could and often assisted in the services.   He was very committed to his family and he always brought a smile and laughter to others.   Joe loved jokes and had a sense of humor that he enjoyed sharing with everyone.   He enjoyed music very much and played the saxophone, harmonica, and organ.   He often initiated contact with lifelong friends and family to stay in touch and share a joke or two.   Joe was born on May 21, 1922, the son of Charles and Margaret Meicher.   Joseph was a life-long resident of Madison and parishioner at St. James Parish.   He attended St. James Grade School and graduated from Edgewood High School.   He faithfully served his country in WWII as a member of the 32nd Red Arrow Infantry Division - Company G from 1940 to 1945.   After the war he pursued his desire to become a priest.   He attended the seminary at St. Norbert College in De Pere, but decided to return to Madison to continue his education.   While working in the front office at St. Mary's Hospital, he met Frances Murphy, who was attending St. Mary's School of Nursing.   Soon thereafter, he married Frances on June 21, 1947.   Joe never missed an opportunity to remind us, ""Just my luck, my wedding night is the shortest night of the year."" They resided in Madison and he worked at Castle & Doyle Fuel Company, and later at Empire Fuel Company as a credit manager for many years.   His health limited his ability to continue his career as he had hoped.   In his later years, he cherished the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. Among other things, he will always be remembered for his one-liners. He is survived by his loving wife, Frances of nearly 62 years and his six children, Jane (Jim) Adams of Fitchburg, Jim (Chris) Meicher of Oregon, Julie McDonnell of McFarland, John (Lori) Meicher of Fitchburg, Jody Lease of Cottage Grove, and Jerry (Jody) Meicher of Appleton.   He is further survived by his sister, Sr. Margaret Meicher of Dubuque, IA, and his brother, Bernard Meicher of Fort Wayne, IN.   Joseph had 13 grandchildren: Matthew, Nichole, Morgan, Kali, Emily, Joseph, David, Daniel, Natalie, Francine, Alex, Rodney and Pamela, and four great-grandchildren: Alexis, Peter, Karissa, and James. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret, his brothers Paul and Anthony, and infant daughter, Mary Jane.   A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday June 12, 2009 at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1204 St. James Court, Madison, with Monsignor Tom Baxter presiding. Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.             In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Joseph to St. Mary's Hospital Pastoral Care, 700 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53715 or to St. James Catholic Church, 1204 St. James Court, Madison, WI 53715.               The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses at Home Health United who cared for Joseph during the past year, as well as the wonderful caregivers at HospiceCare.                   Prayer before a Crucifix Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul I pray and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with a true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; while with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate Thy five most Precious Wounds, Having before my eyes that which David, the prophet, spoke of Thee, my Jesus: ""They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones.""