Joseph Marek

Joseph Marek, 94, died on February 21, 2018 in Charlotte, NC. A graveside service will be held at the Earlville Precinct Cemetery, Earlville, Illinois, at 11:30 AM on March 3, 2018. Joseph was born on November 30, 1923 in Granton, Wisconsin. Son of Rudolph and Bessie Pospisil Marek. He married Ruth Klatt on December 6, 1953 at Earlville Presbyterian Church, Earlville, Illinois. Survivors include his wife, Ruth, son Craig (Lori) Marek, Charlotte, NC, granddaughter Kiera Marek Jordon, Holland Landing, Ontario, Canada. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Erin (Bill Hartge), Ballwin, Missouri, his grandson, Ian Marek, Bradenton Florida, and his 5 brothers and 3 sisters.

Joseph graduated from Morton High School in 1942 and Joined the Marines. He served from 1942-1945 primarily at Midway Island. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation for 37 years, retiring in 1986.

The Marek’s lived in Ottawa, Illinois from 1954 until 1962, when they moved to Bloomington, Illinois. They moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2015. Joe was a member of the Masonic Occidental Ledge #40 in Ottawa, Illinois, VFW, and was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Illinois.