Surnames: Landino, Muschiano, Gerrard, Finney, Rakestraw, Mortenson, Sikora, Hinrichs, Meeks

----Source: Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI, January 30, 2008

Landino, Joseph William (October 1, 1905 - January 22, 2008)

Joseph W. Landino, age 102, of Neillsville, WI, died Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation center.

Joseph William Landino was born on October 1, 1905 in Groveland, New York to Joseph and Generosa (Muschiano) Landino. He graduated from the North Cohocton and Atlanta, New York High School. In 1927 he graduated from the University Of Syracuse Ranger School in Wanakena, New York in Forestry. Joseph married Edith Gerrard of Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada on December 29, 1937.

He was employed by International Paper Company, in Canada as a forester until 1933. He then accepted a position as Camp Superintendent with the United States Forest Service in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Park Falls, WI until 1938. In 1938 he went to work for Sterling Pulp and Paper Company in Eau Claire, WI until he retired in 1972.

Joseph was a member of Eau Claire Masonic Lodge 112; Tripoli Shrine Club; the Congregational Church UCC of Eau Claire, United States Forest Service Retirees Association; Society of American Forester and Civilian Conservation Corps of Wisconsin. He was also a member of Boy Scouts of America and earned his Eagle Scout Award.

He is survived by his two daughters, Mary J. (Michael) Finney and Margaret A. (Bruce) Rakestraw, both of Hatfield, WI; four grandchildren, Lisa J. Finney of Plymouth, WI; Sara J. Finney, of Massanutten, VA; Amanda J. (Travis) Mortenson, of Neillsville, and Amy M. Rakestraw, of Chesapeake, VA; three great-grandchildren, Michael A. Sikora, Devin E. Sikora and Ava J. Mortenson.

A Graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday January 25 at Neillsville City Cemetery. Pastor Douglas Bjerke officiated. A memorial service will be held later this summer.

Casket bearers were Michael Finney, Bruce Rakestraw, Steven Hinrichs, Travis Mortenson, Anthony Sikora and Charles Meeks.

The Gesche Funeral Home of Neillsville assisted the family with arrangements.