UHLER

JOSEPH DENIS

On January 11, 2026, Joseph Denis Uhler, age 85, of McCandless Township, passed away. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia (House) Uhler; loving father of Jason (the late Jacqueline Aveni) Uhler; brother of Rita Kenny, Claudia Korol, Judith Duman, Roberta Bertoti, William (Marsha) Uhler, Daniel Uhler, Mary Ann Uhler, James (Janet) Uhler, Thomas (Maureen) Uhler, and Edward (Sherry) Uhler; and proud grandfather of Mateo Uhler.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Irene (Benes) Uhler, his sister Darlene Biedenbach, and his brother Donald Uhler.

Joe served as an altar boy at Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Bellevue where he also actively volunteered to do maintenance and decorate at Christmas time for many years. He was a 1958 graduate of North Catholic High School. Joe was the oldest of 13 children and upon the untimely passing of his father, had to take on a bit of a fatherly role. As a result, he had to give up his dream of becoming a pharmacist and started to dig ditches for Equitable Gas company where he had worked for 38 years moving up to middle management.

He was always very ambitious, having started to invest in real estate at a young age without his father, who was not supportive of the idea, knowing. He also developed a passion for collecting at a young age. In high school, he had already owned several Model T Fords. His interest in antique cars continued throughout his life. He also had a strong interest in model trains, antique music instruments (music boxes, nickelodeons and band organs), beer steins, old wooden telephones, and old signs and gas pumps.

Those hobbies served as great bonding experiences with his son Jason and grandson Mateo who continue to carry on his legacy of collecting.

Friends will be received on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at SIMONS FUNERAL HOME, 7720 Perry Highway.

Online condolences may be offered at www.simonsfuneralhome.com.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Alexis Catholic Church - St. Aidan Parish, 10090 Old Perry Highway.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Indian School, PO Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326 or Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60607-9952.