Army Cpl. Joseph P. Micks, age 22, of Rapid River, died Saturday July 8, 2006 as a result of injuries sustained in combat operations while faithfully serving in Iraq.

Joe was born October 18, 1983, in Tacoma, WA, the son of Kenneth and Amy (Brunette) Micks.  Joe was a 2002 Rapid River High School graduate and was dually enrolled at the Bay de Noc Community College during his senior year at Rapid River.  Joe went on to attend Baker College in Owasso, MI before enlisting in the United States Army National Guard.  Joe eventually became a full active duty soldier and was stationed in Germany with the United States Army Engineering Battalion.  Shortly before his deployment to Iraq, in November of 2005, Joe married the former Ramona Mindt, in Germany where Ramona currently resides.  Joe is remembered as being a very intelligent, generous, kind- hearted young man who had a strong willingness to help others.  He achieved high academic honors in high school, tutored fellow students and was a member and alter server at the St. Charles Church in Rapid River.  Joe was a member of the local Boy Scouts organization where he gained high honors as an Eagle Scout.  He enjoyed playing golf, playing and managing basketball and collecting baseball cards and sports memorabilia.  Joe will be deeply missed by family and friends and always remembered for his selfless sacrifices made to his country. 

In addition to his loving wife Ramona, Joe is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Amy Micks of Rapid River:

1 Brother:  Andrew “Andy” Micks of Escanaba, MI

Maternal Grandmother:  Shirley Brunette of Danforth, MI

Paternal Grandmother:  Joan Micks of Gladstone, MI

Also surviving are many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends

Joe was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Herman Joseph Brunette, his paternal grandfather, Roy Micks and his uncle Ben Brunette. 

Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the Gladstone Armory Co. C 107th Engineering Battalion located in Gladstone.  Funeral services honoring the life of Joseph P. Micks will commence at 6:00PM, at the Gladstone Armory, with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow, of the All Saints Church of Gladstone, Rev. Fr. Jacek Wtyklo, of the St. Charles Church of Rapid River and Sister JoAnn Jauquet, officiating.  Military rites and veteran’s honors will follow funeral services, at the Gladstone Armory, and will be conducted by the United States Army with the assistance of the Patriot Guard Riders and the Military Honors Team from Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri.  Additional funeral services and military rites will be held in Germany for the family of Joe and Joe’s wife Ramona.  At the request of Joseph P. Micks, committal will be in Ramona’s homeland of Germany.  The Family of Joe Micks respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at Bay Bank, in Gladstone and contributions may be directed to the Bay Bank account for the construction of a memorial park, to be completed at a future date, to honor Joe and his service to his country, for friends and family to gather for reflection.  The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Micks family with arrangements.