Obituaries

Madison

Joseph John Biba, age 99, passed away peacefully at Capitol Lakes Nursing Home on Monday, July 3, 2017. He was born August 22, 1917 in Grant County, the first of fourteen children born to the late Ignatius “Jake” and Josephine (Pettera) Biba. At age 17, Joe left home to work on several farms, including Joe Trecek’s. When he was 25 he met Arlene Dowling at Knutson Café in Boscobel. Two years later, when Arlene moved to Madison to attend college, Joe followed her. On February 5, 1945, they were wed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Their daughter Donna was born a year later, on their first wedding anniversary. Joe and Arlene were devoted and happily married for 72 years.

Joe was a hard worker, always holding more than one job. His first jobs in Madison were driving for Checker Cabs and Schoep’s Ice Cream. Joe worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 28 years, retiring in 1981. He was a member of NARFE, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, for 25 years. He became restless in retirement and went to work as a parking attendant for Bank One, where he worked until he was 81.

Joe’s family remembers him as a happy man. He enjoyed playing pool, bingo, cards and dancing with Arlene. He wrote poetry and enjoyed reciting it. He and his family and friends created wonderful memories on numerous trips to Lauderdale by the Sea in Florida and “Up North” in Wisconsin. In their later years he and Arlene enjoyed walking the grounds at Westshire, watching the Badgers, the Brewers and Jeopardy.

Joe is survived by his wife, Arlene; two daughters, Barbara Hale (Rich Hurley), Donna (Paul) Werth; grandchildren, Michael (Angie) Werth, Sarah (Luke) Socks, Dawn and Stacy Biba, Aimee Biba (Brian Jurkowski); three great-grandchildren, Lauren and Olivia Werth, John Varnes; two former daughters-in-law, Deb Biba and Mary Dailey; three brothers, Bernard (Sharon), Leo (Barbara), and Jim (Beverly) Biba; four sisters-in-law, Bonnie, Ethel, Marie and Ginny Biba; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Ken and Dale Biba; son-in-law, Allen Hale; great granddaughter, McKenzie; brothers, Tom, David, Paul, Marion, George, Natz, Vandy, Louie and Jack; a sister, Helen; and brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Betty Dowling.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Lighthouse Assisted Living (New Perspectives) in Sun Prairie, Capitol Lakes Nursing Home and Heartland Hospice staff for the loving care provided to Joe and his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 10, 2017 at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Avenue, with Msgr. Charles Schluter presiding. Visitation will be on Monday at church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Entombment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home

& Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Avenue