He was born October 26, 1935 in Green Bay and graduated from Green Bay East High School, with the class of 1954. After graduation, he worked at Woolworth's in downtown Green Bay where he met and married his wife Darlene, on October ll, 1958.
Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam wars in which he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He made the military his career and retired in April, 1975 after 20 years of service.
Survivors are his wife, Darlene (Nohr) VanEgeren, Oconto Falls; their five children, Joseph L. VanEgeren Jr., Green Bay: Lorrie A. (David) Rumpf, Oconto Falls; Tammy M. VanEgeren and fiancé Jeff Hagen, Gillett; William. A. VanEgeren, Oconto Falls; Patricia J. Swanson, Oconto Falls; his grandsons who were his pride and joy, Steven V. Swanson, Oconto Falls; a sister-in-law, Donna VanEgeren, Green Bay; a brother-in-law, Melvin Mier, Kelso, WA; his stepmother, Margaret (Spencer) VanEgeren, Green Bay; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Phyllis VanEgeren; one sister, Dorothy Mier; and two brothers, Theodore and William VanEgeren.
Friends may call at Jones Funeral Service Oconto Falls from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2000. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Patricia DeGroot, parish director, presiding. Burial from St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Oconto Falls. Military honors to be conducted by the Oconto Falls American Legion Post 302.