Gehl, Joseph E.Joseph (Joe) Edwin Gehl, 80 years old, of Hartford passed away peacefully on April 21, 2017 at the Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, WI following a short illness.He was born on Dec. 31, 1936 on the Gehl Family Homestead in St. Lawrence to Joseph and Eleanor (Baertlein) Gehl. He graduated from Hartford Union High School in 1955 and then worked for Dairy Equipment in Hartford. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 in Bordeaux, France. After his military service, he began his 28 year employment with Sears, Roebuck, & Company, retiring in 1997. He married Veronica Hennes in 1961.Joe was always quick with a smile and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, Sunday afternoon game days of croquet, lawn darts, sheepshead, etc., watching Nascar races, playing bingo and Mexican Train dominos, going to estate sales, and wood working. Joe could repair just about anything. He had a great sense of humor right up to the end. Joe was a member of St. Kilian Parish in Hartford, WI.Those thankful for having shared in Joe's life include his daughters Pamela (Garry) Brown of Fond du Lac, Peggy (Larry) Stillman of Pittsville, Judy Gehl of Hartford; daughter-in-law Darla Gehl of Jefferson; grandchildren Nicole and Scott Hangartner, Tristan and Miranda Brown, and Joshua and Jordan Gehl; sister Dolores Guerndt of West Bend; brother-in-law Harold Beine of Hartford, ex-wife Veronica Gehl Brugger, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.Joe was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey; his parents; brother Alfred; sisters Alice Schmitt, Marcella Roethle, and Helen Beine; brothers-in-law Franklin Schmitt, Norbert Roethle, Edmund Kling and Ken Guerndt; sister-in-law Beverly Gehl; and special friend Claire Peterson.A private service will be held, to honor Joe's wishes, a Mass of Resurrection will be held for immediate family only.The family would like to especially thank the wonderful staff at the Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac for the loving, compassionate care and friendship they provided Joe the past 2 ½ months.Memorials may be directed to St. Kilian Parish in Hartford. WI or the Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope 400 Highway K Fond du Lac, Wi. 54937.Prost, Dad!The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home Hartford is serving the family. www.berndt-ledesma.com