Joseph Russell Taber

Joseph Russell Taber Jr, age 93 passed away Sept 11, 2011 at SW Health Center, Platteville.

Russ was born on May 26, 1918 in Fair Haven, MA the first son of Joseph R. Sr and Honora (Kilmartin) Taber. He married Marie Lettsome in Marseilles , IL on Dec 6, 1945. Together they had six children. He served in the Pacific during WW II as a member of the Army Air Corps. After a brief stay in Chicago , Russ and Marie joined her sister and brother-in-law, Ed & Rosella Schroeder in moving to Cuba City where they were partners in the Schroeder and Taber general store. In 1955 they moved their family to Fennimore and operated a Gambles hardware store. Throughout his life he was very active in the communities where he lived and was particularly fond of his work with the Boy Scouts Of America. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to boyhood.

The family moved to Platteville in 1961 and Russ continued to work for Gamble. He later spent 10 years on the Platteville Police Force as the Juvenile Officer before mandatory retirement. He then worked as the parts manager at Mound View Motors. Following his retirement he worked for the Mergan-Boll Funeral Home in Platteville. Russ was the worlds best husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years Marie of Platteville; children Tom (Bev) of Platteville; Jim (Pam) of Stream Wood, IL; Sharon (Tim) Charles of Platteville; Mark (Sally) of Madison; Steven (Debbie) of Madison; Patti (Doug) Ripperger Eldridge, IA; Fifteen grand children and nine great-grandchildren; his sister Joan Hagar of Onset, MA; and nieces and nephew who meant so much to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wifes parents, Albert and Theresa Lettsome; two brothers; and five nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, September 15, 2011, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Platteville, with Father John Del Priore officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be in Calvary Cemetery in Platteville. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 14, at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home, Platteville, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.