Joseph Harold Bump

Joseph (Joe) Harold Bump, 89, of Randolph, died peacefully on September 16th, 2016 at his home in Randolph, WI.

Joseph was born in Milwaukee, WI on December 29, 1926, the only child of Harold and Lorraine (Weckerle) Bump. His Mother, Lorraine, died early in Joseph’s life and he was later adopted lovingly by his step-mother Estelle (Mummert) Bump. He lived in West Allis, Fox Lake, Florida, Watertown, Lake Mills and Beaver Dam where his parents owned several businesses. Joe attended Catholic school and sang on the radio in Madison, WI in his youth. At 17 he volunteered for the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II. He was a Seaman First Class in the Amphibious Forces in the Caribbean. He served on LST 664, re-fitted as a Submarine Hunter, which protected Allied shipping from German U-Boats. Joe was the Radarman for the entire Flotilla and in 1945 was in-route for the invasion of Japan when news of the Japanese surrender reached them. After WWII, Joe finished High School and obtained a Business Degree at Wayland Academy while working at Newton & Wenz Department Store in Beaver Dam.

He married Jeannette McFarland on November 15, 1947, who became his lifelong best friend. In 1951 they moved to Randolph. Joe covered Wisconsin as a toy salesman for Marcus Mercantile of Milwaukee. Jeannette was a secretary at Educator’s Progress Service of Randolph. In 1956, Joe purchased the Bohlings Department Store and renamed it The New Bohlings, Inc., which he operated for 50 years with Jeannette. Joe was known for his friendliness, humor, willingness to help others, and his stories. Joe frequented the local restaurant for coffee and always had a joke to share with others. He enjoyed reading, movies and family. Joe was an active member of the Randolph Chamber of Commerce, VFW Post 9510, St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and served on the Church Council as Treasurer for many years.

Joe was a devoted son, husband, and father, survived by 7 children, Jeffrey (Nancy) Bump, Johnnette Bump, Joel Bump, Jaclyn Meyer, Jerome (Cheri) Bump, Jorey (Julie) Bump, and Joette (Brad) Bump;
30 grandchildren, Christopher (C.J.) MacFarlane, Danielle Dunn, Adrian (Angela) Bump, Derek (Angela) Bump, Jocelyn (Matt) Dornfeld, Janalyn Bump, Jordan (Felicia) Bump, Scott (Sandi) Ray, Kimberly (Clay) Mullins, Kevin (Cindi) Ray, Shawn (Sarah) Ray, Kyle (Tiffanie) Ray, Klayton Gaumitz, Shane (Bekah) Gaumitz, Harry Bump, Trevor Bump, Joseph Bump, Christine Bump, Jeanine (Jon) Burmania, Jared (Amanda) Meyer, Jennie (Troy) Van Beek, Baldwin (Ashley) Bump, Carmen Bump, Alanna (Caleb) Congdon, Devon Bump, Nicholas Dresdow, Kaitlyn Dresdow, Benjamin Dresdow, Isabel Bump and Lily Bump; 40 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Jeannette; parents, Lorraine and Harold Bump; Adoptive mother Estelle Bump; son-in-law Joe Meyer; daughter-in-law Susan Bump and great-great grandchild Faith Bump; brothers-in-law, Roy (Sandy) McFarland, Harvey (Gwen) McFarland, Milo (Marge) McFarland; sisters-in-law, Avenal (Manfred) Ditreich, Lillian (Ray) Leuth and Dorothy Kolofski.

A celebration of Joseph’s life will be held Friday, September 30th, 2016, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Randolph Community Funeral Home, 208 S. High St., Randolph, WI 53956 and on Saturday, October 1st at church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. He was loved by many and will be missed by us all.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 1st at 11 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, 305 W. Green St., Fox Lake, WI. The family will receive visitors an hour prior to the service. Randolph Community Funeral Home, Randolph, WI is serving the family.

The family wishes to give their thanks to: the priests and parishioners of Annunciation Catholic Church for their prayers, Arnie Bashinski for bringing weekly Holy Communion, the loving caregivers from Hillside Hospice of Beaver Dam for the extra care assistance during the last few months of his life, and all who remember Joseph in their prayers.

A memorial fund has been established in Joseph's name.