Israel “Joe” Acevedo Sr., age 72, of Bear Creek passed away on Monday evening, September 21, 2015 at Lakeview Manor in Weyauwega.

Israel Joseph Acevedo Sr. was born on March 6, 1943 in Puerto Rico Ranch, Hidalgo County, Texas to Alfredo and Maria (Cardona) Acevedo. He was united in marriage on September 13, 1960 to Antonia Sanchez at Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Mission, TX. The couple settled in Bear Creek where they raised their 10 children. Joe was employed as a body man at FWD Corporation in Clintonville for 38 years, retiring in 2003. While working at the drive, he also did cabbage harvesting with his sons for many years. In his early years he liked playing baseball and always enjoyed watching sports, keeping up with politics, and road trips back to Texas. He was always very generous and easy going, and he opened his home to anyone who needed a place to stay. Joe was a gifted musician and could learn to play tunes by ear on his three row button accordion or with his 12 string bajo sexto guitar. He performed traditional ranchera music with the help of his brother and his sons for years called the Joe Acevedo Y Su Conjunto. Joe was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek, and always liked playing the accordion at the Sauerkraut Festivals. He will be remembered most for his wonderful sense of humor and as a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Antonia “Toni” Sanchez-Acevedo; and nine children: Israel “Joe” Acevedo Jr. of Clintonville, Rudy Acevedo of Clintonville, Armandina (Kenneth) Lorge of Clintonville, Sonia (Artemio) Sanchez of Itasca, TX, Mario Acevedo of Kimberly, Robert (Cristina) Acevedo of Seymour, Brenda (Jose) Lerma of Clintonville, Albert (Kay) Acevedo of Clintonville, and Jolyne Zaldivar of Clintonville. There are 19 grandchildren: Josh Stock, Israel Acevedo III, Nina (Shannon) Labby, Nathaniel Acevedo, Keith Neilitz, Michelle and Melinda Lorge, Danny (Kenia) Sanchez, Tony (Sara) Sanchez, Josh (Abby) Sanchez, Chrystal Sanchez, Alex and Daniel Acevedo, Brandon Carrillo, Samantha and Israel Lerma, Zachariah and Sabastian Acevedo, and Mia Zaldivar. There are 10 great-grandchildren: Layla and Allie Stock, Ella Labby, John Austin and Joel Acevedo, Haley Tank, Emory, Josiah and Eliana Sanchez, and J.J. Sanchez. There is one brother, Ismael (Consuelo) Acevedo of Bear Creek; a brother-in-law, Lupe Ozuna of Mission, TX; and four sisters-in-law, Elma Acevedo of Mission, TX, Argentina Acevedo of Mission, TX, Paula Sanchez of Modesto, CA, and Sharon Sanchez of Appleton. Joe is further survived by many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ernesto Acevedo; a grandson, John Acevedo; a sister, Irma Ozuna, and two brothers, Reynaldo and Alfredo Acevedo Jr., and a brother-in-law, Arturo Sanchez.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Apostolic Church, 535 McKinley Ave., Clintonville with Rev. Sylvester Narlock officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Bear Creek. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Acevedo Family.