Joseph was born on October 27, 1922 in Forsyth, Montana, the youngest of eleven children born to Joseph and Anna Zawada. He attended school at Galheth for three years. He finished his education at Sumatra. Joe began working on the Milwaukee Railroad in 1938. He worked on the section at the age of fifteen. In 1940 he worked at Melstone servicing engines. In 1942, he started engine service as a fireman and in 1943 he entered the United States Army. He served overseas duty with the 393 special service engineers in Europe. In August of 1945, on our way to the Pacific, Japan surrendered so the troops came home and Joe returned to his job as fireman on the Milwaukee Railroad. He was promoted to Engineer on September 2, 1950. On June 3, 1949, Joe and Violet Kemp were married at Sacred Heart Church in Miles City. To this union, two sons joined the family: Joe and Rick. Joe retired from the railroad on April 1, 1982 after forty four years of service on the Milwaukee.
Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and being sponsor for the Sacred Heart cheerleaders. It was an enjoyable year, as was attending football and basketball games, watching his son Joe Jr. play. Joe never knew a stranger and enjoyed talking with anyone and everyone. Joe had a special love for his family and his faithful companion Buddy.
Joe is survived by his wife, Vi Zawada of Miles City, MT; Joe Jr. (Jackie) Zawada of Billings, MT; Rick (Becky) Zawada of Miles City, MT; grandchildren: Jr. Zawada, Mandy Backus, Chris Zawada and Callie Zawada; great grandchildren: Cade, Ian & Damon. Joe was the last of his generation and was preceded in death by his ten siblings: Nellie Engler, Anna Laya, Sophie Zaharko, Clara Todoroff, Mary Tom, Francie Maslowski, John Zawada, Stella Lazoff, Frank Zawada and Louise Zawada.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 19, 2011 with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran´s Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post 1579. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson, Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one´s choice.
Service Schedule
Family Receive Friends
17:00 to 19:00
Monday September 19, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00
Tuesday September 20, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday September 20, 2011
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
259 Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Family Receive Friends
17:00 to 19:00
Monday September 19, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
10:00
Tuesday September 20, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Tuesday September 20, 2011
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
259 Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
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Gayle Mohr says
So sorry to hear about Joe passing. Will try to see you on Tuesday.
Jackie Zawada says
I am honored to be part of joe’s family and that he was touched by watching my joe play sports!!! jackie
Beverly Harris says
Our condolences from the McDowell family.
Eileen, Dave & Bev
Nancy Wallick Boegeman says
Joe, I enjoyed reading about your father’s life. I am sorry he is now gone.
Scott Neumann says
Joe was the best Hog Head I ever worked with. He will be missed.
John & Penny Shevlin says
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this most difficult time.
Pat & Bob Zaharko says
We are here with you in our hearts. We love you.
Scott Ochsner says
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
My heart goes out to my family. The last has gone home. I will miss you Uncle Joe. Tell my Papa Frank hi for me. Wish I could be there.
DAN SUMI DINARDI says
RICK AND BECKY
WE ARE SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF JOE. I WISH I WAS THER TO HEAR SOME MORE OF HIS STORIES BEFORE HIS PASSING. HE WAS A GREAT GUY
D'Nette Grover says
Well he picked a special day. My dad(Joe Braunbeck) apparently needed someone to have a cold beer with to celebrate his birthday!!! Hugs to everyone and thanks to Joe for all the wonderful memories – Papa Joe and Grandma Polly have a new guest at home as well.
Nancy & Alan Rohde, Lisa & Harvey Eisenberg, and Michelle and Dennis Thomason says
Our special prayers and thoughts go out to Auntie Vi, Joe Jr. and Rick and all the family. We will miss Uncle Joe. So many fond memories of our childhood and spending time with Auntie Vi and Uncle Joe!
All our love, Nancy, Lisa and Michelle
Mary Bagley says
Vi and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your lose of Joe. I know how hard it is to lose a member of your family, a loved one. My prayers are with all of you.
Mary
Patsy Fercho says
Vi and Boys, Joe was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. What a loss to you and your families. I am sad as I have not seen him in years, but I sure did like him. When I lived there he was always such fun to work with, we will all miss him greatly.
Kevin & Lori Donnelly says
Sorry to hear of your loss.
May God Bless Joe and the family. I enjoyed
visiting and working with Joe. He will be missed.
Louise Donnelly, Dianne Donnelly, Kevin and Lori Donnelly and family.
ARVID AND LINDA RONNING says
VI AND FAMILY SORRY ABOUT JOE’S PASSING. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
Tom Albers says
As God has a plan for all of us, we must stop and be thankful for the time we share with others on earth. We know that through all the pain and suffering we witness as humans, there is a life of eternal peace. May your family have the peace of knowing that is where your father is now and will be forever. Tom Albers
Ric Zaharko says
We all share the loss of our Spouse, Father, Uncle, Neighbor and Friend, Joe Zawada. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family as they greave this loss.
Ric
Lou Straub says
You will see Joe again. May the good memories & laughs with Joe help you while you wait.
Much Love, Lou-Lou