Joseph James Niks

Joseph James Niks

Born to life on August 11, 1952 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, the son of Laverne Clayton Niks and Mary Ann Jacka McGann, Joe was unexpectedly born to eternal life on September 24, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

When Joe was very young, his family moved to Ohio. After Joe graduated from high school, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam War era, being honorably discharged following the end of his enlistment. He returned to the Milwaukee area and became a hairstylist savant, working in a number of salons and barbershops, including his own. Joe was a well known fixture in Milwaukee's eastside neighborhoods and gathering establishments, with an entire cast of eclectic and diverse people that he called his friends.

Joe leaves to mourn his death his son Desmond (Shaleyna) Velez; his grandchildren Anastasia, Azalea, Zaniyah and Desmond Jr., his sister Luann Vance  (Niks); his "doggie wife" Gucci; and other relatives and many friends too numerous to list. 

Final committal prayer service followed by military honors for Joe will be held on Friday September 28, 2018 at 1pm, all at Jelacic Funeral Home, 5639 West Hampton Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53218. Burial will be private at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Memorials to the family are requested.  

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