Richard Joseph (Joe) Story, 75, of East Peoria, passed away at 10:28 on Feb 9, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL. Born July 12, 1943, in St. Louis, MO, to Eleanor Katherine (Rhodes) and Richard Wilhite Story. Joe attended grade school in Greenfield, IL, junior high in Marquette Heights in the old Quonset huts where the city building now stands, and graduated from Pekin High School in 1961.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his loveable canine, Nobles, who passed just weeks before him.
Following high school, Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force, and served (4) years at various air bases, including San Antonio, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, Mt. Clemens, MI, the Azores, & Torrejon, Spain. It was during his 2-year hitch in Spain that he was afforded the opportunity to see Europe, the Middle East and the Baltic countries as a flight mechanic, on-board the aircraft.
After his discharge from the Air Force, at a high school football game, Joe met Julie Ann Stapleton, and following a two-year courtship, they were married on July 20, 1968, at the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria. This past summer Joe & Julie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family.
Joe worked for Sprinkman Insulation following his military discharge, and eventually hired into the 2-year Machinist’s Apprenticeship at Caterpillar Tractor Co., eventually working in the Purchasing Dep’t & Materials Management, retiring after 35 years of service.
Joe was an avid fisherman, and he & Julie started a family tradition of an annual trek to Minnesota that lasted over 20 years. It was on his final trip, in July, 2014, that Joe was involved in a tragic automobile accident that resulted in the loss of his left arm. Ironically, his father suffered a similar fate 11 days short of being 75 years prior to Joe’s accident. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan. Joe was always quick to lend a hand to friend & family, alike, and his quick wit, warm smile and infectious chuckle will be missed by those that knew & loved him.
Joe leaves behind his wife, Julie, two daughters, Joliene Cunefare (Chris) of East Peoria; Amy Jo Story of Peoria; one son, Chad Story (Elizabeth) of East Peoria; one granddaughter, Kalee Mackenzie Cunefare of St. Louis, MO; one sister, Susie Story of Phoenix, AZ; & one brother, Jim (Linda) Story of Pekin, IL.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Friday Feb 15th at First United Methodist Church in East Peoria with a visitation an hour preceding the funeral.
Memorial Contributions can be made to OSF Richard L Owens Hospice Home.
Online condolences may be made at www.remmertfuneralhome.com
