Joseph E DeCeault

JOSEPH DECEAULT April 25, 1920-October 12, 2014 Joseph DeCeault, 94 of Park Rapids, MN and formerly of Chicago, IL, peacefully entered eternity Sunday, October 12, 2014 at his home surrounded in love and support of his family and care of hospice. Joseph was born on April 25, 1920 in Chicago, IL to Auguste and Mary Lea (Goyette) DeCeault. He attended Harper High School in Chicago, and went on to enter the Army in 1942, attaining the rank of staff sergeant, and honorably discharged in 1946. He completed his apprenticeship as a butcher, and retired from employment with Bruss' Meat Packing Provision in 1984 Joseph was united in marriage to Helen (Kuchuris) DeCeault in 1942, and was able to celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary together side-by-side on October 10, 2014. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Janet (Ronald) Schmutzer of Park Rapids, Melinda (James) Dawes, of Orland Park, IL, Thomas (Mary) DeCeault of Florence, OR, Denise (Keith) Gulbranson of Park Rapids, and David (Cheryl) DeCaeult of Stephens City, VA. Fifteen grandchildren, Doug (Lisa) Stichert, Jill (Michael) Niedziela, Heidi (Dennis) Massie, Peter (Sara) Schmutzer, Timothy (Jodi) Schmutzer, Danielle Dawes, Amanda (Bobby) Wilkins, Damien Dawes, Leah Hodits, Matthew (Lindsay DeCeault, Allissa (Charles) Vaniter, Michael Dawes,Lauran DeCeault, Lindsey DeCeault, Krista DeCeault: ten Great Grandchildren, Paul Massie, Celine and Rebecca Stichert, Elizabeth and Katherine Niedziela, Gabriel and Annika Schmutzer, Kiergon and Gannon Wilkins, and Audrey DeCaeult. Joseph enjoyed vacationing with his family in Park Rapids since 1964, and fulfilled his dream to retire to a lake home on Little Sand Lake in 1985. There he enjoyed the summer fishing and gardening, entertaining grandchildren during summer visits, all-season hiking, winters cross country skiing, and enjoying the family traditions of the holidays with family and friends. Joseph was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet (Ronald) Schmutzer, his parents Auguste and Mary Lea DeCeault, ten siblings, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday October 16, 2014 at the St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids, with Father Thomas Friedl officiating. The St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church Alleluia Choir will lead the Mass music. Casketbearers will be Thomas DeCeault, David DeCeault, Timothy Schmutzer, Doug Stichert, Robert Reschke, and Richard Reschke. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Wednesday October 15, 2014 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, and again one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be held at the Immaculate Conception Lakeside Cemetery in Nevis.