Joseph F. Nadeau Sr., age 81, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at his residence.

Joe was born on August 20, 1936 in Chicopee Falls, MA. He was the last living child of the late Alfred and Marguerite (Millet) Nadeau.  In 1954 he proudly joined the United States Air Force for the refueling division stationed at Shreveport, LA.  There he met the former Shirley Schneider.  There were united in marriage on May 10, 1955.  Together they raised six children back in Massachusetts.  They called Wisconsin home in 1974.  Joe drove semi-truck for most of his 50 plus year career.  He also had a home improvement business for several years but his "love of the road" also included bussing and taxi driving.  Joe enjoyed singing Country Music at the Country Club in the 60's until the time they moved to Wisconsin where he sang at numerous family weddings.  Joe loved spending time in the outdoors whether it was camping with the family or hunting and fishing with "the boys".   Joe had much pride teaching future generations about his Native American Heritage.  Additionally he attended and participated in the Pow-wows at Wisconsin Dells and Oneida.  He was a life member of the Amvets Post #99 and the Otto Oas VFW Post #659.  Joe took much pride in his country and flew his United States and Air Force flags daily.  He enjoyed his time on the Old Glory Honor Flight in September 2017.

He is survived by his children, Kathy Bruce, Westfield, MA, Debora Nadeau, IL, Linda (Edward) Griffin, Adel, GA, Joseph Nadeau Jr., Kevin (Patricia) Nadeau, James (Beth) Nadeau Sr., all of Manitowoc, fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, one great great grandson and one on the way. Joe is also survived by two sisters-in-law:  Louise Nadeau, MA and Barbara Schneider, Sheboygan, along with many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, wife of 58 years, Shirley, in 2013, seven brothers and sisters, an infant sister, and ten brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Klingeisen officiating. Entombment will follow at Knollwood Mausoleum with military honors provided by the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #731.  Following the services at the mausoleum there will be a luncheon at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.  Relatives and friends may call at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Old Glory Honor Flight (Appleton) or Lakeshore Humane Society of Manitowoc. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com .

The family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses that attended to Joe over the years and a special thank you to Heartland Hospice, caregivers, and daughter Debora.

"The wind is my breath

Mother Earth is my body

Moving waters is my blood

Fire is my Spirit.

(Ka-Lun-Yaha-Wi   She carries the sky)

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11 ^th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.