Joseph T. Treleven

Joseph T. Treleven went peacefully home to heaven, on February 27, 2025, at the age of 92. He joins his beloved wife Terryl (Daisy), his son Ricke, his parents Joe and Ag and many more friends and family members. 

Joe was blessed with great intelligence, wit, drive, boldness, diligence, athleticism and health. From very humble beginnings in Omro, WI, he used these gifts to the best of his ability and achieved great success. At every stage of life (including high school, college, the Marine Corp and as CEO of Payco American), he was constantly striving to improve himself and the institutions he was involved with. 

His successes in high school earned him a full scholarship at Carroll College. His Marine Corp service from 1951-1958 earned him the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Over the course of 21 years, Payco American went from a small bill collections firm to the largest accounts receivable management firm in the world. Never one to take all the credit, he was very honest about the teams of people, and their unique talents, that were responsible for each of these successes.

Rarely content to just sit and do nothing, Joe was an avid downhill skier, sailor and golfer. He loved music and theater, reading and history, classic cars, classic movies and old TV westerns. In his later years, he began writing stories about his life and funny stories about family life…which were “mostly true”. This collection of writings is called “Captain’s Tales”, after his chosen nickname of Captain (due to his love of sailing).

Joe retired at age 53 and he and Daisy enjoyed traveling and spending time at their homes in CO, WI and SC. They had wonderful adventures with many friends in each of these places and created fantastic family weekends and cherished memories of Captain and Daisy, which will last forever.

He will be greatly missed by his friends and his children: Stephanie & Dan, Felicia & Jim, Michael, Valerie & Richard.

Grandchildren: Brianna & Matthew, Dannie & John, Taylor, Paige & Ethan, Griffin & Anna, Chloe & Oz, Giselle, Beau 

Great-Grandchildren: Liam, Ellison, Katie, Maddie & Holly.

Joe’s Memorial Service will be held:

Saturday, April 26th, 2025

Visitation 11-1, Service at 1

Luncheon to follow immediately, on-site at

Pagenkopf Funeral Home

2228 N. Silver Maple Ln

Oconomowoc, WI 53066

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Joe’s church in SC.

First Union African Baptist Church

239 School Rd, Daufuskie Island, SC 29915