Joseph George Grundle III

Joseph  G. Grundle III

May 27, 1949 – October 25, 2023

Joseph (Joe, Buzz) G. Grundle, III, passed peacefully into eternal life at the age of 74. Born and raised in Milwaukee near St. Sebastian School, Joe enjoyed his childhood alongside siblings Karen, John, and Mary Jo, a youth highlighted by summer days at Lake Michigan, visits to his cousins’ farm, and working at Dick’s Liquor. He met many of his lifelong friends in the neighborhood or at Francis Jordan High School and was a founding member of the Loners’ Picnic. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 before graduating from UW-Milwaukee.

Joe fell hard in love with his ever-supportive sweetie Joyce (née Mueller); the couple married in 1976 and celebrated their 47th anniversary this year. Joe was also much loved and admired by his three children: Victoria, Joseph (Amanda, née Zemlicka) and Henry. A faithful and loving husband, Joe also proved a selfless and caring father, encouraging his children’s academics (occasionally via subtle threat), challenging their perspectives to forge critical thinking, stressing the importance of being upstanding citizens who respect others, introducing the pleasures of reading, nature and The Three Stooges, and showcasing the infinite bonding power of road trip vacations.

Joe worked as a carrier for the U.S. Post Office for 30 years and, in retirement, reveled in reading every (or at least every other) book in the Milwaukee library system, typically from the comfort of his sturdy La-Z-Boy recliner. Residing for about 15 years in Cedar Grove, WI, Joe achieved local legend status for his prominent display of fashionable station wagons and bumper stickers.

In addition to his wife, children, and sisters, Joe is survived by his lovely granddaughter Chloe, who brought him endless joy in his final years. He is preceded in death by parents Joseph and Mary Alice Grundle, brother John, granddaughter Lilly, and Lilly and Chloe’s mother Stephanie.

A funeral mass is scheduled for noon on November 4 at St. Monica’s Church, 5681 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay, WI. Visitation will take place in church prior to mass from 11 a.m. to noon. After mass, all are welcome to gather in the church hall for light refreshments. Online condolences can be placed on the Jelacic Funeral Home website.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation on Joe’s behalf to Capuchin Community Services (http://www.capuchincommunityservices.org) or the Milwaukee Public Library (http://www.supportmpl.org/make-a-gift).