Joseph Thielen

Many characteristics make up the lives of many great people, but those derived from the heart are the qualities that leave a forever imprint on the hearts of others, and Joe Thielen was such a man. A man of faith and integrity, he was hard working and a proud Veteran who served his country well. He foremost valued and loved his family. Gone but never to be forgotten are the treasured memories he leaves behind.

As the effects of the Great Depression and unemployment lingered on throughout the U.S., many in 1936 made their way West in search of brighter tomorrows. Even so, musician greats such as the Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby made hearts lighter with their wooing ballads and dance tunes. It was during these uncertain times when Marcellus and Francis (Wilson) Thielen welcomed the birth of their son, Joseph Ronald Thielen into their fold.

Born on January 19, 1936, young Joe came into the world at home in a raging snowstorm. The Thielen’s made their home in Beal City, Michigan, near Mt. Pleasant and the neighbor had to drive his truck into town to pick-up the town doctor to help bring Joe into the world! The third of nine children, Joe grew up alongside his four brothers and four sisters.

A close-knit family, his father owned and ran a dairy farm and also drove a school bus for Beal City schools. His mother was a homemaker in their bustling household and held down the fort while his father worked hard to make ends meet. Joe’s mother made a good home for their family. She took care of the children, baked, cooked, and did laundry. They were a hard-working family and were always busy. Joe was a quiet fellow, much like his father but his mother was more talkative. As a young boy, Joe never remembered getting into much mischief or discipline because he was always too busy working on the farm from sunup to sundown to get into any trouble. A family of faith, the Thielen’s were devout to their Catholic faith and took their religion seriously, never missing Sunday Mass.

Joe attended Beal City High School where he was a consummate “jock” having played football, basketball, baseball and ran track during all four years of high school. By the time he graduated on May 14, 1954, he had earned 14 varsity letters. His small graduating class of 24 students were very close and remained so throughout their lives having had the most class reunions in the history of this small class D high school. Joe’s alma mater is still known for their excellence in sports, especially football.

With the Korean War well underway and the draft in place, Joe and his best buddies, Fred, who was also his cousin, and Paul decided to enlist in the U.S. Army in October of 1954. One month before they enlisted, they were in a serious car accident. Joe was sitting in the passenger seat and when his face hit the dashboard, he lost his four front, upper teeth and his lip was sliced open. With Paul uninjured and a track star, they sent him to run the one mile into town to get help while Joe and Fred managed to get to a house across the street. The homeowner quickly brought the two young men to the hospital where they spent the night. Poor Paul returned to the accident scene only to find Fred and Joe missing, later discovering they were okay in the hospital.

Joe and his buddies began basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Joe ended up being stationed in Homer, Alaska, sent there aboard a cargo ship. During the service he made the Army’s elite basketball team. One of eight players, he and his teammates practiced five days a week while the rest of the squadron had military tactics in the cold, snow covered state. Joe received his honorable discharge on September 7, 1956.

Following their discharges from the service, Joe and his best buddies began working on the General Motor’s assembly line in Lansing over the next two winters. During the summers, Joe worked doing masonry as a tender for a construction company. At GM, he was also an inspector of the Jet Plant.

Joe decided to enroll at Ferris Institute, now Ferris State University, in March of 1958, receiving his associate degree in HVAC and Refrigeration within 18 months and did so without taking any breaks. From 1960-1962, he worked as a draftsman at Dynamic Air Engineering in Grand Rapids. For the following two years he worked at Thornapple Valley doing refrigeration maintenance, electrical, plumbing, and welding repair. However, in 1960, Joe started a new adventure. He went on to co-own and eventually owned a business called Advanced Appliance. He bought and reconditioned home appliances and sold and serviced them, also. He then worked at a few other small appliance companies doing sales and repair for the next couple of years.

In 1964, Joe met the love of his life, Renee Herrmann, at Sullivan’s Bar in Grand Rapids, Michigan where the GR Ford Museum now sits. Renee’s friend was the one actually flirting with him at the bar, but Joe had his sights set on Renee. The two struck up a conversation and after getting her number, they shared their first date. The couple was happily married on October 2, 1965, making their first home a small apartment before purchasing their family home in Walker, Michigan where they raised their family.

Joe and Renee were overjoyed with the birth of their son, Raymond in 1967, followed by daughter, Michele in 1968, less than a year later! In 1972, another daughter, Alecia completed their family. Through the years numerous memories were made and enjoyed as a family. Faith continued to be a large part of Joe’s life and family.

In 1969, Joe took a position with Sears Roebuck in Grand Rapids where he worked as a fleet repairman, driving all across West Michigan to people’s homes to repair appliances. He absolutely loved the job as it allowed him to take in beautiful sights along the way. Joe retired from Sears after 25 years of service in 1994 at the age of 58. For the next ten years, he worked three days a week installing dishwashers in homes, officially retiring in 2004.

When Joe’s beloved Renee passed away on October 22, 1997, following a hard fought, 13-month battle with breast cancer, it was no less a difficult time for Joe and his family. After 32 years of marriage, he dearly missed Renee and all that they had shared. Through his faith and the love of family, Joe was able to carry on.

Joe kept himself busy as a member of the Polish Falcon Aid Society and as a longtime parishioner of Parish of the Holy Spirit, he was part of the Usher’s Club. He enjoyed bowling, golf and also played basketball and volleyball well into his sixties. He also loved watching his grandchildren play sports and became a big part of their lives, too. After retiring, Joe spent time in Orlando, Florida from 2003-2007 to be close to his brother, Jerry and his wife, Joan. He loved his large family of 11 growing up and his own, immediate family. He loved taking part in the many family celebrations, weddings, and family reunions in Beal City, Michigan.

When diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Joe began to slow down physically. He spent his last year or so residing at Edison Christian Assisted Living but tried to remain as independent as possible. He did not want to be helped with getting dressed or other daily chores simply because he wanted to do it himself. He was stubborn and was quick to voice his concerns as it was frustrating. Each day Joe tried his best to be a good Catholic man of faith, good father, and grandfather, despite these setbacks.

Joe Thielen lived a life of accomplishment and the love of family. He counted his children and grandchildren as his greatest joy and blessing, and was extremely proud of them. He leaves behind a legacy of love and fond memories to recall of a life well lived. Deeply missed, Joe will be remembered for all that he was, and more.

THIELEN, Joseph R. age 86, passed away on January 7, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Renee Thielen; siblings, Betty Woodbury, Gerald Thielen, Marcella Sharrar, Rich Thielen and John Thielen. He is survived by his children, Raymond (Julie) Thielen of Fremont, Michele (Damian) Anderson of Coopersville, Alecia Thielen of Wyoming; grandchildren, Bethany (Nick) Edwards, Rebecca Thielen, Heath (Tara) Thielen, Lauren Anderson, Cosmas Anderson, Claire Holroyd, Chase Holroyd; great-grandchildren, Kaden, Paige, Mia, Emmett and Harry. Also surviving are his siblings, Mary Ann Judge, Donald (Joan) Thielen, Kate (Rodger) Whiting; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 14, 2023, 11:00 AM at Parish of the Holy Spirit, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with Joe’s family Friday, 4-7 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW and beginning at 10 AM at church. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM the night of visitation. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. To read more of Joe’s life story, and to leave a memory or condolence, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.