Joseph Shickich

Joseph (Joe) E. Shickich died peacefully on May 20, 2016, surrounded by his wife, Lois, and his four children. He was 94 years old.

Joe was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on December 23, 1921, to Frank and Mary Shickich, Croatian immigrants. He was raised in Cheyenne during the depression, joined the Wyoming National Guard (115th Calvary) at age 17, and graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1940. He played trumpet in the Army Band, and saw active service in WWII as a Staff Sergeant in the 70th Reconnaissance Troop in combat in Rhineland Central Europe. He was decorated and honorably discharged in 1945, the day before his 24th birthday.

Joe graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1949, and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Joe resided in Casper since 1950, owned and operated the Western Finance Company for 18 years and then was Vice President at Provident Federal Savings & Loan, where he established the consumer loan department. He retired in 1984.

Joe was a Democrat and proud of it. He was Chairman of the Natrona County Democratic Central Committee from 1966-1970, a delegate to the 1968 National Democratic Convention in Chicago, and the instigator of the Hon. Mike Sullivan's successful run for Governor in 1986.

Joe was an active citizen. He was a Natrona County Commissioner in 1987-1988 and introduced the first pension plan for county employees. He was President and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Memorial Hospital of Natrona County (Wyoming Medical Center) in 1968-1979, and founder of the Natrona County Memorial Hospital Foundation. He was a member of the Wyoming State Reorganization Commission in 1975. He was a loyal member of the Casper Lions Club since 1966, and 1995 Lions Club Parade Marshall. He was Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus, Casper Council 1653.

Joe was an inspiration in courage and optimism to his family and friends. In 1976, he was diagnosed with a progressive eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, which took his sight completely in 1992. Blindness never slowed him down or dampened his passion or energy for life. He and Lois travelled the world, and he tended to his beautiful house and yard and Alcova Lake cabin. He hosted with Lois a 40 year tradition of Saturday morning donuts in their kitchen for family and friends until his last days. He entertained and nurtured his children and grandchildren. Joe was a friend to all, and there was not a bit of pretension or selfishness in him.

Family was Joe's top priority. His wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois (Tripeny) Shickich, and by his children, Joe Jr. (Barbara) of Seattle, R. Michael (Clairyce) of Casper, Mary Lynne of Casper, John (Devie) of Portland. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Danny (Heather), Mary, James and Ana Mae Shickich, and Kaiya Vasquez, and four great-grandchildren, Addy, Joey, Ruby and Vivian.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Jack, and an infant son.

Joe's family especially thanks Joe's beloved caregivers, Sheila Henry, Pearl Hanes, and Autumn Gomez, and Kristy Kellch, RN, and the staff of Central Wyoming Hospice.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Newcomer Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 3, 2016 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with interment to follow at Highland Cemetery.

Joe's family asks that memorials be made to Allen H. Stewart Summer School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, c/o Lions of Wyoming Foundation, 224 Talon Ct., Cheyenne, WY 82009, or St. Anthony Tri-Parish Catholic School, 1145 West 20th St., Casper, WY 82604 , or Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 S. Wilson, Casper, WY 82601.

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