Joseph R. Semo Sr., 85, of 611 Cherry St., Ironwood, died Sunday morning, Sept. 27, 2009, surrounded by his loving family, in Ironwood.      He was born July 19, 1924, in Ironwood, son of the late John and Mary (Machac) Semo, and attended Ironwood schools.      Joe entered the U.S. Army on March 15, 1943 and served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II, receiving, among numerous medals and citations, five Bronze Battle Stars.      Following his honorable discharge as a private on Dec. 23, 1945, he returned to Ironwood and worked in the Geneva Mine until it closed. He then was employed in auto body repair at local body shops as well as for himself for many years, retiring due to a disability in 1968.      Joe was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, Knights of Columbus Council No. 1396, and a life member of the Aurora Athletic Club. He loved hunting at his camp that he built off of Chaney Lake Road and fishing with his brother Rudy. He loved to sing and was an avid musician, playing the bass fiddle and the accordion, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.      On April 30, 1949, he was married to the former Mary Lou Trier of Hurley at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley by the late Msgr. Michael Prock. Mary Lou survives.      Also surviving are three sons, Charlie (Debbie), Ironwood, and Bobby (Lynn Probst), and Joey, both of Rhinelander, Wis.; four daughters, Mary (Brian) Stella, Joanne (Ryan) Kovales, and Annie (Sam) Davey, all of Ironwood, and Rae Marie Semo, Kingsford; nine grandchildren, Brian Stella Jr. (Amanda DeCarlo), Ironwood, Angela (Scott) Brogan, Ironwood, Dan (Tara) Stella, Greenfield, Minn., Paul Semo (Dana Kangas), Rhinelander, Charlie ( Nikki) Semo Jr., Ironwood Township, and Bobby Semo Jr., John Semo, Sammy John Davey and Jill Davey (Aaron Tarnaski), all of Ironwood; seven great-grandchildren, Brittany Stella, Tony and Jack Stella, Lexie Lou Semo, Ben and Emma Fromel, and Brynn Semo; a brother, Rudy, Ironwood; two sisters, Helen Lawver, Menomonee Falls, Wis., and Betty Semo, West Bend, Wis.; a grand-daughter-in-law, Tammy Stella, Ironwood; numerous nieces, nephews, and brothers-and-sisters-in-law; and his special kitten, "Lulu".      Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, John, Steve, Vince and Charlie; two sisters, Celia Mackisac and Anne Anderson; and brothers-and-sisters-in-law.      In accordance with Joe's wishes, cremation has taken place.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Raymond Moncher, celebrant.      Rite of Committal will take place in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.      A luncheon reception will immediately follow in the parish hall.      Private inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church from 9:30  to 11 a.m. on Thursday.      Members of Pere Menard General Assembly 471 will serve as honor guard and honorary pallbearers.      To view Joe's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.