Joe Malcore
Joe grew up around the funeral home that bears his family name and he found himself associated with the things that go on there from an early age.  After handling a variety of things from mowing the lawn to painting the windows, perhaps it was natural that eventually he would want to learn more of the business and become a part of it.  So, after graduating UW-Stevens Point in 2000 with a Degree in Sociology, he enrolled in Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago.  The one year program was pretty solid with few breaks and included a variety of classes in psychology, anatomy, biology, business law, accounting and just about everything a funeral director would need to know.  He remembers 'Finals Week' as being a total of fifteen finals to deal with.  After graduation there's the process of getting a license which took over six months of trying to fulfill requirements of assisting in arrangements and embalming as well as filling out endless streams of paperwork. 

His association with the Knights is fairly recent.  Ray Demerath encountered Joe a couple of times and urged him to join the Council, which he eventually did, completing the First Degree this past May.  He had known a little about the Knights, remembering taking part in some youth athletic events back in Grade School.  He also remembers the charitable thrust of the Knights as well as the many things they do for people, even if it is just praying for those in need.  He had wondered about the Degree ceremony and found it to be rich in history.  He also thought the meeting that followed was very democratic in nature with plenty of personal input from the participants--"formal yet relaxed."  His short time in the Council has not allowed him to take part in many activities yet, but he looks forward to getting involved and getting to know the members and their families.

As in so many other professions, there is no such thing as an average day in the life of a funeral director.   He finds himself involved in any variety of activities including handling services, embalming, dealing with flowers, attending to a cremation, or some of the other necessary activities like mowing the law.  For relaxation, he likes the outdoors but is not a big hunting or fishing person.  He enjoys running, weights, snow skiing and biking and also traveling, particularly through the Midwest.  He has also had the opportunity to travel in Western Europe, visiting such places as England, Scotland, Germany, Italy and France.  While involved with the Newman Center at Stevens Point he had the chance to spend some time in Haiti delivering medical supplies and helping out in whatever ways he could.  Some of his indoor activities include an interest in drawing and watercolors and tinkering with the computer. 

Joe has one sister and three brothers, and is looking forward to marrying his fiancée Kate on June 28, 2003.  We welcome him to our Council family and we look forward to getting to know him as he joins with us in the activities of the Knights. 

July 2002