Joseph J. “Joe” Vlachina, age 77, of Kenosha, passed away at the Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on October 13, 1938, in Kenosha, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Rosko) Vlachina. A lifelong resident of Kenosha, he was a graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School and also attended Marquette University.

Joe honorably served our country as an artillery surveyor in the U. S. Army from September 12, 1960 until his honorable discharge on September 11, 1963.

He was employed as a machinist with AMC/Chrysler, retiring as a Maintenance Supervisor in 1982. Following his retirement, Joe made many friends through his ownership of three “Whale of a Wash” car wash locations in Kenosha and Madison.

Joe was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. He also enjoyed kayaking, canoeing, bike riding and skiing with his wife.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Joanne; three children, Joe (Nancy) Vlachina, Kathrine (Phil) Fullhart and Sara (Scott) Hamley; 11 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.