Joseph "Joe" Meronk

Joseph “Joe” Meronk, 59 of Amherst, passed away at home on September 21, 2026 with his loving wife, Kelly, by his side. 

Joseph R Meronk was born May 8,1967 to William and Carol Meronk in Portage County.

Joe had a 2.5-year battle with Prostate Cancer that morphed into Small Cell Endocrine Carcinoma.

Joe was completely blindsided by the 2024 Cancer diagnosis and a PSA of 331. MEN – PSA is Prostate-Specific Antigen and should only be zero to 4. It is a simple blood test. Advocate for yourself! Seek a Urologist if over 4.

Joe led an amazing life and touched so many people throughout his lifetime. He was first the legend on wheels at the Golden Sands Skateland where he met the love of his life Kelly (Schenck) Panter in 1989. What’s amazing is that they both roller-skated often at Golden Sands from the day it opened in the 70’s until God brought them together in 1989.

July 4, 1992, Joe and Kelly entered into marriage and Joe became an instant Papa to Joshua, Caleb and Kaylyn Panter. At the time the children were 8, 7 and 2. He was the daddy that he didn’t have to be, and he met the challenge head on and was fully committed. Their marriage took place at Golden Sands Skateland on roller-skates. They then had their own parade on roller-skates down Post Road to the Sky Club for their reception. They DID remove their roller-skates for the reception!

Joe’s second legend status was with his automotive repair abilities. And as Kelly found out, it extended far past automotive repair. Joe’s moto was “if you’re a reckon’ I’m a fixin’! It was YEARS before she got anything new as he kept fixing the old!

Joe’s third legend status was his willingness to help anyone in need. He would even go well out of his way to give a person or a vehicle a ride home. In 2019 his dream of owning his own automotive shop came true with Meronk Service Inc. Here he truly could help those in need. Often extending credit when he really shouldn’t. He also tried so hard to be a mentor to young men that came to him. It was important to him to show how to be responsible as a Father, Husband and ethical Auto Mechanic.

Joe is survived by his wife Kelly Meronk and son Joshua (Chelsea) Panter – Michael Panter Bassett, Ivabel Panter Bassett; son Caleb (Kati) Panter – Keagan (significant Carol) Panter, Rory Panter, Owen Firkus, Kolby Firkus, Niamh Panter; daughter Kaylyn (Jerry) Bowen – Aidan (significant Liberty) Bowen, Lexi (significant Evan) Bowen, Shelby Williams Bowen. Also survived by Kelly’s biological brothers; Russ Campbell, Rory Campbell and Mark Showers.

Joe’s had a bonus children relationship with Luke and Samantha Maggio and his shop son Troy (Hayley) Nowak.

Joe is further survived by his siblings. His sister Tina (Dan) Feltz – Cassie (Kyle) Lepak, Kimberly Feltz; his brother Paul (Mary) Meronk; his brother Russell "Rusty" Meronk; his brother Adam Meronk – Nicholas Meronk, Ryan Meronk ; and his brother Kenneth (Stephanie) Meronk – Kimberli Zwetz, Taylor Meronk, Alissa Meronk, Wesley Meronk, Jaya Meronk and Silas Meronk.

Special Love to his cousins Dennis Buege, Tim Buege, Linda Buege-Baltzell, Amy Keifer-Kurkowski, Julie Czappa, Jill Sparhawk-Filtz, Rob Sparhawk, Shawn Meronk Voth, Erin Meronk Pinter, Shane Meronk, Karin James, and Kay Babel as they grew up more like siblings than cousins.

Joe was pre-deceased by both his mother and father, Carol and William Meronk, his sister-in-law Susan Meronk, his parents-in-law Robert and Ruth Schenck, sister in-law Kathy Goehring. Also Kelly’s biological mother Sara Boucher Duvall and Kelly’s biological sister Rosalie Campbell. And his cousin Kurt Kiefer.

There will be a visitation for Joe held on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Springville Sports Barn, 2811 Plover Springs Drive, Plover from 4:00 PM until the time of service. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5:30 PM at Springville Sports Barn. 

Following the service there will be a sharing of a meal and memories. All are welcome to join. Burial will take place on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM in Plainfield Cemetery, N6590 5th Ave, Plainfield, WI 54966. Please join the family directly at the cemetery at that time for a short committal service.

Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Meronk Family.