Joseph Robert Cornwall

Joe Cornwall was born at his home in Harvey, Illinois, September 17,1927. His mother said it was in the morning at the time the morning shift whistle was sounding at the factory. Not much has been saved of his early childhood. One report card was saved. He graduated from Thornton Township High School June 2, 1941 in a class of eleven graduates. He received excellent grades in English and Science and received a varsity letter in Athletics during his Senior year.

He served the United States Navy during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He received several citations including a Bronze Star. When the recruiter asked him what kind of ship he would like to serve, my father told him he would like to be on a ship that is difficult to sink. He spent most of his time aboard aircraft carriers.

He married the beautiful Maria Primitiva Velasquez while stationed in Seattle, WA, May 30,1946. They met when my mother worked at the Grande Marche café where she took orders and served. A friend of hers would always put extra ice cream on their sundaes so they could be together a little longer. Joe enjoyed receiving love letters from Maria, especially enjoyed hearing about their children. They were blessed with three children, Marsha, Bernard, and Lea.

Some of his favorite hobbies included painting, rock collecting, Native American jewelry, woodcarving, and shooting his guns out in the desert. He enjoyed camping and painting the areas he spent time at. Many of the things he liked carving were bears. These were his wife’s favorite and he devoted many poses to the little bears. He also liked carving eagles. He carved fewer of these as they were more difficult and took longer to be satisfied with how they looked.

His dear wife went on to heaven in 2005 after 59 years of marriage. His son, Bernard, is also there with him. He is survived by his two daughters, Marsha Baham, and Lea Wiltenmuth. His grandchildren include Matthew Baham, Mark Baham, Crystal Powers, Lonna Cornwall, Eric Cornwall, Laura Wiltenmuth, Carl Wiltenmuth, Candace Wiltenmuth, Philip Wiltenmuth, and Louis Wiltenmuth. He has four great-grandchildren.