Loving Husband, Father, Servant of God and Patriot, Joseph Scuglik, 96, of Kenosha, passed away January 8, 2019 at his home.

Joe was born in Kenosha on April 5, 1922 to Stefan and Pauline Scuglik.  He was educated in Kenosha Schools.

From 1942-1945, Joe served in the Army Air Corps during World War II flying over 30 missions in the B17 as a Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner. Joe and his crew crash landed 3 times and he was presented the “Lucky Bastard Club” award.  Joe earned a Purple Heart when he was injured as his plane was strafed with machinegun fire, killing the pilot, while Joe, as the top turret gunner, as well as the waist gunner were wounded.

He also was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with a four-leaf cluster, the European-African-Middle East Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, The Normandy-Northern Europe Ribbon for his D-Day Missions, The American Defense Medal, The French Cross Honorable Conflict and Victory Medal for World War II.  Joe proudly was among the veterans that participated in the second honor flight of Wisconsin WWII veterans in May of 2010.

After his time in the service, Joe returned to the United States and married Bernice Burdick on July 28, 1945.

He worked his career at MacWhyte Wire Rope as Rope Mill Superintendent until his retirement.

Joseph was a dedicated lifelong member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kenosha and he served his parish over 50 years as a trustee and usher. Joe was also a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, First Catholic Slovak Union and many MacWhyte Clubs.

Joe is survived by his children, James (Betsy) Scuglik of Kenosha, Joyce (Achille) Infusino of Kenosha, and Edward (Deborah) Scuglik of Neenah and daughter-in-law, Kim Scuglik of Rhinelander. Joe is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Brian (Jenifer) Scuglik, Michael (Monique) Scuglik, Kevin Scuglik, Jason Scuglik, Daniel (Sara) Infusino, Nicholas (Brooke) Infusino, Jaclyn (Christopher) Zielke, Timothy Infusino (Nicki Shadle) and Jennifer Scuglik; as well as 11 great grandchildren; sister in law, Marilyn Burdick, his brothers, Rudy (Delores), William and Tony (Gloria) and sister-in-law, Pauline.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Bernice (Burdick); his son, Richard; a granddaughter, Andrea, his sister, Wilma who died in infancy, brothers, Steve and Paul, sisters-in-law, Ann Tucker and Elsie Scuglik; and his parents, Stefan and Pauline. He is also preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Delores and brother-in-law, Herman Rotz.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Joe’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 beginning with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 5100 22nd Avenue. Entombment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.