Richard Walter Joseph

Richard Walter Joseph was born in Detroit, MI on October 1, 1936. He was one of five children born from the union of the late Stephen and Mary (Zambron) Joseph.

Richard married the love of his life, the former Bernice Staelgraeve, on May 19, 1962 at St. Patrick Church in Carleton. MI. They met in June 1960 at Pine Grove Hall in Carleton while Richard was a drummer playing with the Bob-Katz Band. From this union the couple was blessed with the birth of four children.

Richard was the owner and operator of Gradall Excavating, Inc. a construction and trucking company from 1968 until 2001 when he retired. Richard lived an active life as a musician and businessman. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Carleton, MI, the Belgian American Club, Moose Lodge Pine Island 1954, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Richard enjoyed many years of deer hunting at his deer camp and snowmobiling in northern Michigan and many summer holidays with his family at their cottage on Lake May in Hawks, MI.

Richard and Bernice made the perfect business team and their love story was something very special, married 60 years on May 19, 2022. They loved to travel and visited many places including Germany, Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean Islands.

His legacy is not one that will fade. Richard walks beside us always in spirit and will be missed beyond comprehension.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Larry and Bernard Joseph, and grandson, Lance Joseph.

To cherish his memory, Richard leaves his wife, Bernice Joseph; children, Dr. Mark Joseph, Tamera (Bart) Bobich, Timothy Joseph, and Sandra (Duane) Waldo; two sisters, Dolores Balyo and Florence (William) Komisar; seven grandchildren, Bartholomew Bobich, Bailea Bobich, Blake (Ashley) Bobich, Eric Joseph, Jay Joseph, Broc Bobich and Kyle Joseph; great grandchildren, Blair and Beau Bobich.

A private Celebration of Richard’s Life is being held in Florida, February 19th.