Joseph Marion Davis

Portage, WI/Live Oak, FL – Joseph Marion Davis, age 80, went into the loving arms of the Lord on Friday, March 23, 2018.

Joe was born on July 26, 1937, in Rusk County, near Ingram, WI, the son of Gladyn Harley “Buck” and Ruby (Rhinehart) Davis. Immediately after high school, Joe cooked at Camp Chi in Lake Delton. Then he went to be with his dad who was working construction and they put him right to work. Joe worked for Sarrington Construction—Gasser Construction and became a roller operator, foreman, and then the vice-president of the company. In 1971, he had the opportunity to buy a hot mix plant and construction company which he owned and operated as Davis Construction Company. Joe loved to play his Martin guitar and sing with his wife of 57 years—Donna Jean (Ihde) Davis. They traveled around the country, and they sang in many local assisted living and nursing homes around the Portage, Reedsburg and Live Oak areas.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Davis; children, Donald Dean (Katie) Davis; Thomas Joseph Davis, and Timothy John (Shannon Horkan) Davis. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Lindsy (Josh) Julius, Lizette (Dylan) Hayes, Adam Davis, Cody Davis, Chelsey (Chad Serstad) Davis, Dylan Davis, Logan Slama, Brooke Slama; great-grandchildren, Vanessa, Destyn, Ava and Parkar; sisters, Marlene Fish, Lorraine (Arnie “Buzz”) Rose; brother, Jim (Barb) Davis; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his baby sister, Ruby Irene in 1941; father, Gladyn Davis in 1967; mother, Ruby (Rhinehart) Davis in 2002; and brother-in-law, Robert Fish in 2012.  

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Moundville United Methodist Church located at W5501 County Road O, Endeavor, with Rev. Jimmy Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Moundville Cemetery. Visitation will be at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage on Friday, April 6, 2018, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Davis Trust, P O Box 890, Portage, WI 53901 to be divided equally between Moundville United Methodist Church and Suwannee River Community Church.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.