Joe was born Dec. 11, 1945, in Escanaba, the son of George and Marjorie (Ketcham) Demeuse, and was raised in Gladstone. Joe was a 1965 graduate of Gladstone High School.

He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Arlene Cayer, on April 16, 1966, at All Saints Church in Gladstone. Following graduation, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Anaheim, Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, he and Arlene returned to Gladstone to raise their family.

Joe worked for Local Carpenter’s Union 1510 and he also was self-employed as a contractor for many years until his retirement in 2005. Joe was a lifetime member of the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 where he had served as post commander, a member of the SAL, and a lifetime member of the Vetrerans of Foreign War Post 2998.

He was a member of the All Saints Church, and for many years, he enjoyed playing dartball and on the All Saints Smear League. His hobbies included hunting and spending time at camp with his family. Joe will be remembered as someone who enjoyed always having fun, had a zest for life, and was always smiling and joking. He was an extremely giving and trusting person and was always there to lend a helping hand. His granddaughters were the light of his life.

Survivors include: children, Terri (Daniel) King of Gladstone and John (Jessica) Ketcham of Gladstone; three wonderful granddaughters, Brianne Ketcham of Gladstone, Heidi and Amber King of Gladstone; brothers, Donald (Nancy) Demeuse of Gladstone, Terry “Ben” (Jackie) Demeuse of Grass Lake, Mich., and Alan (Pat) Demeuse of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sisters, Jeannie (George) Spaulding of Gladstone, Nancy Burke of Gladstone, Linda (Gary) Kidd of Manitowoc, Wis., and Sharon Mannebach of Escanaba; and brother-in-law, Carl Utterback of Rapid River.

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, George Joseph Ketcham, Jr. “Little Joe”; his loving wife, Arlene, in 2004; and sister, Julie Utterback.

Joe’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, from 3 to 5:15 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites conducted by the Gladstone American Legion Post #71 will follow at 5:15 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 6 p.m. at the All Saints Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. Luncheon will follow at the First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Gladstone. Burial will be in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com, where you can express your sympathy to the family.