Obituary for Joseph L. Zellner

Joseph L. Zellner has been called home to be with his Lord God on Sunday, April 11, 2021. Joe was born on April 16, 1958, in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Joseph & Beverly Zellner and was the oldest of 13 children. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, singing karaoke, throwing darts, and walking his dog.

He was known to many as “Juke Box Joe” during the time he was running his karaoke business. He enjoyed singing for the elderly at a couple of the assisted living centers in Marshfield.  Joe attended St. Mary’s Catholic School from first to sixth grade and was a graduate of Auburndale High School in 1976.

Joe had worked numerous jobs around the Auburndale, Arpin, Neillsville & Marshfield areas before working diligently for the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center until his time of death after he had studied to become a certified nurse’s aide at Mid- State Technical College.

Joe was known for lending a hand or helping his neighbors whenever he could.  On some occasions, he would message a sibling and tell them how he had shoveled snow off of his neighbor’s front steps and away from their door so they could get out of their home in case of an emergency or something that you could feel how happy it made him to do such a simple task.  He took pride in whatever he did whether it was building a planter or flower box out of an old toolbox, planting flowers, mowing the lawn or snow blowing the sidewalks around the church he attended, or even writing poetry.

For the past 12 plus years, Joe had played the role of “Doubting Thomas” one of the twelve disciples of Jesus in the Last Supper performance at his church during Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter, to which he looked forward to portraying every year.

Joe is survived by his mother, Beverly Zellner, and siblings, Barb Zellner, Dori Hinkelmann, John (Michelle) Zellner, Joel (Debbie) Zellner, Melanie (Bob) Mitchell, Jeff (Becky) Zellner, Jerome (Tina) Zellner, Jayne (Tom) Bloomer & Jay (friend Jan Aschbrook) Zellner & his best friend Wishbone.  He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews, an uncle, an aunt, many cousins, and special friend, Kevin.

Joe has been reunited with his father Joseph (Pidee) Zellner, two brothers Jerry & Jim Zellner, a sister Janet Zellner, his grandparents, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and his beloved dog Shortie as they Welcomed him with open arms and glorious songs of love into the gates of Heaven.

A Christian memorial service will be held Friday, April 16, 2021, from 5- 6 pm with visitation at 4 p.m. until time of service, at the Wesley United Methodist Church (205 E. 3^rd St.) Marshfield, WI. [Please practice social distancing and face masks will be required inside church]

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you make a donation to the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center in memory of Joe.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com