The Lord called Joseph Lewis "Lew" Bain, 85, De Pere home on Monday morning February 27, 2017. He was born February 18, 1932 to the late Charles V. and Beatrice (Clough) Bain. On September 3, 1951, he married Bernice Driessen at St. John Catholic Church, Little Chute. Lew and Bernice have celebrated 65 beautiful years of marriage together. Time spent with family and friends is what Lew cherished the most. Lew loved the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, or going to Bill's cabin in Prentice with the kids, grandkids, and his friends. Always a hard worker and good provider, besides farming for years, he also worked at Thillmany Paper. Lew's ten-minute naps against the "Fence Post" seemed sustained him for all the "20 minute jobs" he had.Lew is survived by his wife Bernice, his children; Robert (Karen) Bain, De Pere, William (Cindy) Bain, De Pere, Cheryl (Tom) Smits, Greenleaf, Carol Schoepke, De Pere, Bonnie (Douglas) Hall, Somerset, and Jim Bain, Savannah, Ga. Twenty grandchildren; Brendon, Mitchell, Stacie, Stephanie, Brooke, Gabriel, Anne, David, Brian, Andrew, Brian, Joseph, Steven, William, Sarah, Michael, Derek, Taylor, Noah, and Willow. Eighteen great grandchildren; Mason, Tristan, Hunter, Chancelor, Carter, Madison, Michael, Montana, Maverick, Briella, Keegan, Liam, Emily, Abby, Evan, Christian, Hunter, and Addison. Lew is further survived by his brother, best friend, partner, second father to Bernice and Lews children; Charles Wilbert "Bert" Bain, and his wife Linda who is a second mother to the children, as well as life guard, and chaperone at McCabe's swimming hole for the children all summer long. Bernice's family further survived; her sister Sharon Vande Hey and sister in laws; Rita Driessen, and Joanne Bongers Driessen, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.Lew was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Anne, and three brother in laws; Robert Driessen, Ronnie Driessen, and Bruce Vande Hey.Friends may call at RYAN FUNERAL HOME 305 N. Tenth Street De Pere after 4:00PM Friday March 3, 2017, until a prayer service at 7:15PM to bring the evening to a close. Visitation will continue after 9:00AM Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family, 1307 Lourdes Ave. De Pere until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM with Fr. Tim Shillcox O.Praem. officiating. Burial will take place in South Lawrence Cemetery.

Green Bay Press Gazette Feb 28 2017