Joseph “Joe” E. Ghilani Jr., 74, of Elkhorn, passed away on March 19, 2024, at Aurora Zilber Hospice in Milwaukee.
He was born to Joseph and Marie (Bourbonnais) Ghilani, in Milwaukee on April 20, 1949. He was united in marriage to Christine (Fischer) Ghilani on Sept. 2, 1972, in Racine.
Joe loved many things, including his family and being a Papa to his six grandchildren. Joe grew up on a dairy farm and continued to love the land, which showed in his vegetable garden.
Joe was a part of the Rotary Club. He was a huge World War II buff and watched the History Channel when he could. He was a photographer and a baseball and softball coach, and he loved to play cards with his grandchildren.
Joe loved his sports, was a massive fan of the Northern Illinois Huskies, Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers, and always cheered on the Elks.
Joe graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was hired by Farm Credit Union and worked for 17 years creating loans for farmers. He obtained his real estate, notary and insurance licenses and continued his career paths through Allstate and Kauffman Insurance Agencies.
Joe is survived by his wife, Christine Ghilani; his two children, Todd (Heather) Ghilani, and Laura (Jim) Dembosky; his siblings, Dona (Charles) Nash, Charles (Mary) Ghilani, Mark (Lois) Ghilani, and Lynn Witte; his six grandchildren, Josie, Gia, Alex, Landon, Harper, and Hayes.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ghilani family to support Joe’s grandchildren in their future endeavors.
Services for Joe are on March 29 at noon at Haase-Lockwood and Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory, 730 N. Wisconsin, St., Elkhorn. A visitation will be held starting at 10 a.m. until the time of service. Haase-Lockwood and Associates are proud to have served the Ghilani family.
