Cleon Joseph Demersseman

C. Joe DeMersseman, 88

Joe DeMersseman was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the son of Burt DeMersseman of Rapid City, South Dakota. Joe spent a number of years in the military and earned a purple heart and other honors in WWII. He lived in Rapid City, South Dakota until moving to Wyoming for a short while and settling in Aurora,Colorado. He was married to Billie Wyant and fathered 7 children. He had a successful career in banking and was known for his cute sense of humor and great love for all dogs. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Opal DeMersseman; children Jim (Sheryl) DeMersseman of Grand Lake, CO, John (Leslie) DeMersseman of Palm Springs, CO, Joe (Lori) DeMersseman of Boulder, CO, Connie (Greg) Smith of Marietta, GA, Chrissy DeMersseman of Houston, TX, Cathy DeMersseman of Albuquerque, NM and Paul (Cynthia) DeMersseman of Sacramento, CA; Grandchildren Theresa (Dan) and 3 great-grandchildren of CA, Clyde (Becky) DeMersseman and 2 great-grandchildren of NM, Emily and Branden Helms of GA, Shaly (John) Borkowski and 2 great-grandchildren of CA, Scott (Caroline) DeMersseman and 2 great-grandchildren of CA, Julie DeMersseman of CO, Adam DeMersseman of CO, Travis Smith of PA, Danielle Smith of NM, Nicky Rubinstinen of TX, Billy Norris of NM, and Joey Norris of NM; brothers Mike (Kathy) DeMersseman, Alex DeMersseman and Bobby (Paula) DeMerrseman and families; sister Suzie (Ray) DeMersseman of Berkley, CA. Memorial service Wednesday, 10:30 A.M. at Newcomer East Metro Chapel 190 Potomac St., Aurora, CO 80011. Inurnment Ft. Logan National Cemetery 12:00 P.M. Staging Area "A" Denver, CO.


This is an obituary that was placed in Rapid City, SD paper.

C. Joe DeMersseman

DENVER - C. Joe DeMersseman, former Rapid City resident, died in Denver, Colorado, on November 10, 2005. Joe DeMersseman was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 15, 1917, as Cleon Joseph Buschki and was placed with The Children's Home Society of Minnesota. He was adopted by Bert DeMersseman and Rose LaFrance.
Joe was a graduate of Rapid City High School where he excelled in track and field and held the 440 record for two decades. He attended Marquette University and entered the Army on May 6, 1943. He was an artillery officer who served in the 593rd joint assault company. As a member of the Jascos, he participated in the campaigns at Laty, Lausanne, and Okinawa. Captain DeMersseman directed the Battleship Nevada's fire from the island and was wounded on June 15, 1945, on Okinawa. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with Three Bronze Stars, the American Defense Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars, American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal, and the Bronze Arrowhead to the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon.
Joe was preceded in death by his adoptive father and mother, Burt DeMersseman and Rose LaFrance, his step-mother, Louise DeMersseman, and his first wife, Billie Wyatt. Joe is survived by his second wife, Opal, who attended him in his last illness, and his children, James, John, Joe, Connie, Christy, Cathy and Paul and by his half-brothers and sisters, Alex, Michael, Robert and Susan. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at the Newcomers Family Funeral Home in Aurora, Colorado. Burial will be at Ft. Logan Veterans Cemetery.