Joseph Daniel Mccormick

A salt of the earth sort of man, Joseph McCormick carried himself with honor, integrity, and unwavering strength. He could be counted on to tell it like he saw it, and although he wasnt outwardly affectionate he displayed his love through his acts of service toward those he cherished. Joes life exemplified classic wisdom such as working hard in everything, treating others as you would want to be treated, and finding your sense of self worth in who you are rather than in what you have. The timeless lessons he leaves behind will be carried on in the lives of the precious loved ones who follow in his footsteps. With the end of WWI in 1919, America was poised for greatness. Recognized as a world leader for the first time, we ushered in a decade that was predominantly a prosperous one until the crash of the stock market in 1929 sent our nation spiraling into the Great Depression of the 1930s. It was with great joy that a young couple from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, announced the birth of their baby boy on July 23, 1922, during this very exciting time. Joseph Daniel was the oldest of three children born to his parents, Edward Francis Frank and Margaret Loretta (Sheehan) McCormick, and was raised in the family home alongside his younger sisters, Mary Catherine and Frances or Ann as she was usually known. His father predominantly worked as a farmer, although he also worked for the City of Mt. Pleasant, while his mother was a busy homemaker who helped her husband on the farm. Joe established his strong work ethic at an early age as he began working out in the fields nearly every day doing whatever needed to be done like pulling the plow with horses or cutting hay. He was also a student at the rural schoolhouse known as the McCormick Schoolhouse because it was located on the McCormick property at the corner of Nottawa Road and M-20 (Remus Road). After his Uncle Leo suffered a heart attack that left him unable to carry out his duties on the farm, Joe stepped in to fulfill his uncles duties for a year or so until the farm could be sold. As he grew into a teen, Joe continued to work on his fathers farm, although he looked forward to riding along with two thumbs Wally when he picked up milk to be delivered from local farmers to the condenser. Joe completed his formal education through the eighth grade at the McCormick Country School while farming for his parents and other neighbor farms as well. With a desire to serve his country, Joe enlisted in the United States Army in December of 1942. He served as a corporal in the 5th Air Force Division 1st Fighter Control Squad, fighting in New Guinea, Bismark Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon, and Okinawa. Things could have gone so badly for Joe and his shipmates when their ship went down in the Philippines, causing them to spend 36 hours in shark infested waters with 15 foot swells before being rescued. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945 and awarded with the Purple Heart. When he returned, Joe celebrated to make up for lost time that he didnt have as a child. Life was forever changed for Joe when he met the love of his life through his friend, Herb Hall. Her name was Helena Kremsreiter, and after dating for a time they were married on September 25, 1948, at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. Although they didnt have any children of their own, Joe and Helena helped raise Helenas youngest sisters daughters, Jeanie, Suzie and Cathy, known as the Duffy girls. When the Duffy girls were teenagers and older, Joes sister, Mary Catherine died in 1967 and Mary Catherines husband, Norbert Martin, died in 1968. Joe and Helena took in their children, Jean Ann, Steve, Stan, and Scott - the oldest of whom was 15 and the youngest who was just one. Joe and Helena loved babies, and it was a joy to take Scott with them everywhere they went. Although not his biological father, Scott always considered Joe his father. Throughout his life Joe was one to work hard. After returning from the war he went to work for Michigan Oil and Gas Storage, which was pipeline work, for two years. In 1950 he began working as the heavy equipment operator for the City of Mt. Pleasant, typically working seven days a week. If they were able to get their work done early on each Sunday, Joe and his co-workers could have the rest of the day off to spend with their families. Joe was instrumental in forming the workers union for the City of Mt. Pleasant and retired in 1984. There was nothing more important to Joe than his family. They went to fun places together every summer like Cedar Point, Sea World, Wisconsin Dells, Mackinac Island, and various places along the lakeshore. Joe was not verbal in his love for his family, yet they never doubted his feelings as he was constantly showing them how deeply they were treasured. After retiring Joe and Helena celebrated their new freedom by spending a week with his sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Tony Pashionek, in Florida. Along the way Joes journey was enriched in so many ways, including the addition of his daughter-in-law, Courtney who developed into the daughter he never had. Courtney's parents, Ken and Kim Lumbert, added even more to his life. Joe was a devout Catholic and a member of Sacred Heart Parish where he was baptized. Joe was also a member of the VFW Post 3033. He loved horses and was known to regularly bet on the horses at Mt. Pleasant Meadows. Joe took great pride in his car, which was always in tip top shape. Described as hardworking, stubborn, and tough, Joseph McCormick was an extraordinary man to know and love - especially when the going got tough. He will be dearly missed while the memories he leaves behind will be forever cherished. Joseph McCormick of Mt. Pleasant died on Thursday, February 21, 2013. Joes family includes his nieces, the Duffy girls, Jeanie (Viol) Trice of Lansing, Susie (Dick) Onstott of Mt. Pleasant and Cathy (Jack) Cullity of Manchester, NH; the Martin children, Jean Ann (Rob) Hood of Naples, FL, Steve (Marlene) Martin, Stanley (Peggy) Martin and Scott (Courtney) Martin, all of Mt. Pleasant; and brother-in-law, Herman Kremsreiter of Beal City. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Helena in 2011; sisters, Mary Catherine and her husband, Norbert Martin, and Ann and her husband, Bernard Gross; his in-laws, Ida and Joe Fussman, Walter Kremsreiter, Rosie Kremsreiter, and Rita and Tony Pashionek. A Funeral Mass for Joe will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 26, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Thomas Held presiding and Deacon Larry Fussman assisting. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Lux Family Funeral Home on Monday from 1-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 3033 or to the family. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Please visit www.LuxFamilyFuneralHome.com to leave a memory.