Joseph R. "Joe" Erschen, 75, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Hawkeye Care Center in Asbury.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at St. Raphael's Cathedral, with Fr. Dennis Quint officiating.  Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, where military honors will accorded by members of the Dubuque Marine Corps League and the Iowa Army National Guard.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Monday, March 18, 2024, and from 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, where the parish vigil service will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Joe was born on July 29, 1948, in Dubuque, the son of Robert J. and Juanita Mae (Channell) Erschen.  He was a graduate of Wahlert High School, the Class of 1967. Joe was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving during the Vietnam War.

He was the owner and operator of J & R Supply in East Dubuque. Joe loved Nascar racing, trips to the casinos, and antique cars.

His passion was J&R Supply. He poured his heart and soul into his company, where he had mutual respect, trust, and personal bonds with his employees that became his family. He had tremendous appreciation for his customers, where he cherished lifetime friendships he built. His belief was to take care of his customers and employees, and they will take care of you.

If you couldn't find him at J&R Supply, he was more than likely taking his annual trip to St. Thomas with the family. It was there where he made treasurable memories that will last a lifetime.

Joe will always be remembered for his wittiness and famous one- liners. We'll always imagine hearing him say "you know what you got when you got kids". His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Joe was strong-willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart. He was extremely generous, loyal, and brave. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge he gained through all of his life experiences.

He will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them and if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he carried himself with dignity, strength, and full of love. He will be missed dearly.

Joe was known for his generosity towards his community and those in need. Joe's legacy he wants to leave behind would be to pay it forward and share kindness.

His departure comes as a great shock and it is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him dearly in his wide network of community.

Surviving are three children, Rob (Ashley) Erschen, of East Dubuque, IL, Rachel (fiancée, Joe Widmeier) Erschen, of Dubuque, IA, and Natasha Erschen, of East Dubuque, IL; four step children, Tim Ruh, of Dubuque, IA, Debbie (Mark) Ferguson, of Waukee, IA, Margo (Brett) Giese, of Galena, IL, and Stephen Wimmer, of Dubuque, IA; six grandchildren, Mandi, Carter, Austin, Kaitlyn, Abigail, and Liam; his siblings, Olivia (Steve Starkey) Erschen, Joan "Miki" Erschen, Janice Erschen, and Ed Erschen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Juanita.

We would like to thank Midwest Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Dr. Mark Hermann, and nurses at Grand River Medical Group, the doctors and nurses of Finley Hospital, Hawkeye Care Center, and Hospice of Dubuque.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©