Joseph Nicholas Linder, Little Chute, died at age 70 from complications of cancer. He was the only child of Nicholas Paul and Agatha Cecilia (Bender) Linder. He was preceded in death by both parents. Joe was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 14, 1940. As a youth, he was an altar boy at St. Mark's Church, a high school football letterman and an Eagle Scout. He graduated in 1958 from Sacred heart Central High School. He also graduated in 1962 from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio with a BS in Economics and a MBA Management/Labor Relations in 1964. He served three years of active duty as Engineering Officer on two ships in the US Navy. He was the final Executive Officer of NRSD 9-9 Appleton, before the division was decommissioned. Joe remained in the active reserves for 7 years, honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Commander.

Joe married Phyllis Mary Brown on June 20, 1964 in University Heights, Ohio. She preceded him in death, in 2008. They had 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Following his active duty in the Navy, he worked in Human Resources for Bucyrus Erie in South Milwaukee, Badger Northland in Kaukauna, Nicolet Paper Company in DePere, Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company in Kaukauna, Riverside Paper Company in Appleton and retired as Executive Director of the Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association in Appleton in 2002.
Joe lived a full life serving others with his career in Human Resources, and serving his county, community and church. He was a member for 43 years of St. John's Parish in Little Chute, including being a member of the Parish Council and Parish Planning Committee. He was a member of the Little Chute Planning Commission, mentor for FISC, Member of the Society for Human Resources Management - in leadership roles for several years, Boy Scouts Council and Troup Committee. He served as a volunteer and on the Board of Directors for the Outagamie Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Rebuilding Together Fox Valley, and Leaven.

He is survived by his four children Joseph (Lisa) Linder, Fond du Lac; Joan (John) Cannon, Fond du Lac; Suzanne Griesbach, Slinger; and Maureen (Griff) Rice, Fredonia; eight grandchildren: Connor and Cole Linder, Nicholas and Emily Cannon, Elizabeth and Leah Griesbach, Hayden and Cecilia Rice.

Joe loved his family, traveling with Phyllis and the "Appleton Adventure Club", weekends at Windfall Lake, and woodworking. Actually he was a pretty good wood worker and handyman!

Visitation will be held at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 S. Pine St. Little Chute) Tuesday May 31, 2011 beginning at 3:00 p.m. until time of Mass at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen will officiate. Military rites conducted by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258 will follow Mass. Committal St. John Cemetery, Little Chute. A memorial has been established at St. John Parish, Little Chute.

I have received many blessings in my life. But now I have sawn my last board, I have driven my last nail. To my family and friends, I wish fair winds and following seas, God's blessings.