John Plese
October 1, 1923 — November 5, 2010
John Plese
Age 87, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 5, 2010.
John was a lifelong resident of the Joliet area. He was the first born son of the late Ivan and Katherine (Plese) Plese on October 1, 1923. He was a WWII Veteran, having served in the South Pacific, and married Angeline Ada Deltonto on November 9, 1946.
John was the owner / proprietor of Texaco, and then Independent service station on the corner of Theodore and Nicolson Street for 23 years prior to establishing Plese"s Radiator Service at Ruby and Center Street until his full retirement in 2008. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #382, American Legion Post #1080, VFW Cantigny Post #367. Ingalls Park AC, the Croatian Cultural Club and the Croatian Fraternal Union. John was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Martin (half-brother), Mary (half-sister) Plese, Sisters Frances Butscher, Helen Kinzler, Sylvia Vulgaris and Brother Walter Plese.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Angeline, five children; David of Joliet, Fred (Diana) of Lincoln, IL, Diane (Ed) Ortiz of N. Dighton, MA, Raymond (Mariellen) of Minooka, and Barbara (Brian) Forsner of Carol Stream, ten grandchildren, Lisa (Bill) Legett, Nornal, IL, Laura (Shane) Coughlin, Bloomington, IL, Janette (Jeremy) Derucki, Sugar Hill, GA, Fred D. (Claire) Plese, Ballwin, MO, Kelly, Joe (friend Sarah) Plese, Lockport, IL, Josh Plese, Minooka, IL, Ada and Jon Fosner, Carol Stream, Eric Ortiz, N Dighton, MA, sixteen great-grandchildren, his brother Luke (Gerry) Plese, and sisters Lucy Kocjan and Zita (Ed) Verklan. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
John was a loving husband; father, brother, uncle and Tata. He accepted his family responsibilities at an early age and continued to do so throughout his life. His propensity for work and his will to succeed was his driving force. This same dedication carried over through his hobbies of fishing, gardening, cooking and distilling. John lived his life as a devout Catholic, often assisting the parishes of St. Joseph, Lockport, and St. John Vianney, Fairmont.
The Plese family would like to thank Provena Home Health Care and Provena Hospice for their loving care and assistance. Donations in John"s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, Provena Hospice or Provena Home Health Care.
Per John"s wishes, private services were held on Tuesday, November 9 from the funeral home to St. Mary Nativity Church where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated. Full Military Honors with Interment followed at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery.