Walter M. “Joe” Garchow, age 67, passed away at his home in Fife Lake on Thursday, June 30, 2011.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1944, in Clare, to the late Frederick and Bertha “Delphina” (Stevens) Garchow. Joe married the former Diane Woodruff on April 4, 1975, in Traverse City.
He served proudly and honorably in the United States Army from 1962 to 1972. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Joe made his living as a carpenter and in the oil field industry.
He loved hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family and friends.
Some of the things Joe wanted people to remember about him were that he loved his family, loved his kids, that he was a “baby magnet”, and animal lover, a loyal Vietnam vet, that he was a great outdoorsman and that he was known as Pampaw or Papa Joe.
Joe is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Diane; his loving children, Walter “Ray” (Portia) Garchow, of Fife Lake, Marty (Jody) Garchow, of Mancelona, Jesse (Nerene) Garchow, of Kingsley, Marla Garchow, of Fife Lake, and Madison Williams of Fife Lake; his 10 cherished grandchildren, Ryan , Autumn, Mikayla, Raeann, Tyler, Joshua, Raven, Jessica, Justin and Ayshya; and his dear sisters, Rosemary (Bob) Brown, of St. Cloud, Fla., Rosilee Thompson, of Clare, and Mariette Chamberlain of st. Johns.
