Jerome Block

Jerome V. "Joe" Block, 85, of Sheboygan Falls, died on Friday evening, May 27, 2011 at Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls. Joe was born on December 12, 1925, in the Town of Sheboygan, the fifth of nine children, born to Martin and Katherine (Schmitt) Block. His Plymouth family would be forever altered by the tragic death of his father in 1941. The economic hardship spurred by his father's death redefined education and family life for him. On March 29, 1952, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Clemens in Plymouth. Together they built their marriage and made their home in rural Sheboygan Falls. Joe worked for Hydro Excavating, but he most fondly remembered the camaraderie of the folks in the maintenance department at Bemis Mfg. where he was employed for 19 years until his retirement in 1997. Joe enjoyed stock car racing and football. A man of few words, his twinkly blue eyes and boyish grin spoke volumes. Slight in stature, but long on grit and determination, Joe had the uncommon gift of being wholly content being at home in his yard. On any given sunny day he could be found sitting in his chair in front of the garage watching cars go by. Joe is survived by his wife Marilyn, one daughter, Kristi Schuchardt (Dale) of Sheboygan; two sons, Steven (Darlene) Block of Sheboygan Falls and David Block (Leesa) of Plymouth; six grandchildren, Zachary and Rebecca Schuchardt, Abby Dotz (Ryan), Elizabeth (Ron) Rekowski, Emily Block and Joseph Block; one great-grandson, Marcus Rekowski; two sisters, Leona Gilboy of Plymouth and Mary Ann Verhage of Sheboygan; one brother, Raymond (Mary) Block of Cleveland; and two brothers-in-law, Edward (Mary) Brinkman of Lakewood and Jerry Brinkman of Plymouth. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, an infant, Hildegarde Block and Helen (Willard) Brendel, three brothers Leonard "Red"(Lorraine), Herbert (Patricia), Robert "Curly" (Sandra) Block; two brothers-in-law, Norbert Gilboy and Lawrence "Hap" Verhage; and a sister-in-law, Carol Brinkman. A private family memorial service will be held at the Chapel of Eternal Light. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Joe's name for the Sheboygan Broughton Marsh Project.Service:Chapel of Eternal Light at Greenlawn Memorial Park6706 Superior AvenueKohler, WI 53044