Joseph Prachar, 99, of Willow River, died Monday, July 13, 2009 in Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake. He was born March 31, 1910 in Willow River to Bohumil and Rose Prachar. Joe attended Willow River High School before joining the service at 17. He was a Marine Corps Veteran, serving in Guam from July 30, 1928 to February 1, 1930 as well as the Marine Corps Expeditionary Force in China from February 15, 1930 to February 12, 1931. Joe was united in marriage to Helen Lehecka on November 16, 1932 in Carlton. Joe was a Pine County Sheriffs Deputy from 1942 to 1978 and was the Willow River City Marshall and Fire Chief for 40 years. He also worked at the Chrysler Garage in Willow River and was a member of the Popek-Kostecky American Legion Post #163 of Willow River. He enjoyed hunting with the crew at the farm, fishing, photography, berry picking, playing cribbage and smear with the boys, "driving around" and birthday parties. Joe truly loved life.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; son, Marvin; 3 brothers, Henry, Nick and Ervin.

Joe is survived by his daughter-in-law, May Prachar of Esko; 4 grandchildren, Marie (Esa) Ojala of Esko, Mark (Roseann) Prachar of Esko, Marty (Carleen) Prachar of Saginaw and Mike (Debbie) Prachar of Esko;
9 great grandchildren, Joe, Jamie, Scott, Andrea, Zachary, Ashley, Shawn, Brandon and Melissa; 6 great great grandchildren; sister, Albina Sostak of Askov; sister-in-law, Edith Kopf of Willow River; numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, July 15, from 2PM until the 3PM Service in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake with Pastor Gary Kangas officiating. Casketbearers were Marie Ojala, Mark Prachar, Marty Prachar, Mike Prachar, Joe Prachar and Scott Prachar. Honorary Casketbearers were Zachary Prachar, Jamie Rossing, Andrea King and Ashley Ojala. Interment was in Sunnyside Cemetery, Willow River. Military Honors provided by Popek-Kostecky American Legion Post #163 of Willow River and Hansen-Anderson American Legion Post #361 of Sturgeon Lake-Denham. To sign the guestbook online, go to: www.hhkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.