Joseph Shekleton Obituary

PEORIA - Joseph Shekleton, 88, of Arlington Heights, formerly of Peoria, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Arlington Heights.

Joseph Shekleton was born on Nov. 8, 1919, in Palmer, Iowa, to Francis Joseph and Marie (nee Nulty) Shekleton.

Joe received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from University of Illinois in Champaign in 1943. He then worked as a patent chemist at General Aniline in Pennsylvania, then at Goodyear in Akron, Ohio, and Lubrizol in Wickliffe, Ohio, for 20 years.

In 1964, he received his Law Degree from Case-Western Reserve Law School in Cleveland. He subsequently worked as a patent lawyer for Corn Products Corporation and Borg Warner in Chicago for the rest of his career. He retired in 1990.

He was a lifelong member of SPEBSQSA and enjoyed barbershop quartet singing. He also enjoyed tennis and was an avid golfer. Joe and Mary were members of St. Edna Catholic Church in Arlington Heights since 1969, where Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus Arlington Heights Chapter.

They loved to travel and spend time with their family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Schotthoefer), whom he married in Peoria on May 23, 1943; his children, Barbara (Paul) Hegele of St. Charles, Gerald (Maureen) Shekleton of Glen Ellyn, Michael (Bernadette) Shekleton of Peoria, Margaret (Richard) Waltman of Arlington Heights, Marty (Barbara) Shekleton of Mount Prospect, Tim (Jill) Shekleton of Hoffman Estates, Cathy (Robert) Hickey of Foxborough, Mass., Patrick Shekleton of Park Forest, Mary Jo (Kelly) Taira of River Forest; his 19 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Roth of Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Janet Frank; and his brother, Tom Shekleton.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, and from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at St. Edna Catholic Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Interment will be in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine.

In lieu of flowers, Masses are appreciated or memorial contributions may be given to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, 20 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604; or to the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Chicago, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631.

Funeral information and condolences may be made at www.GlueckertFH.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Peoria Journal Star from Sep. 27 to Sep. 28, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Shekleton

5 Entries

Carl Scarpello

October 1, 2008

Dear Marty and Barb.

Sincere sympathy for your loss, Know he is God's hands and at peace.

Lynn Hauldren

September 30, 2008

I didn't know Joe well, but I can tell you he was the best audience any performer could hope for. Joe sat close to the stage, usually, and put
a great big grin on his face. He may
have pasted it on and taken a nap for all I know, but his smile made any quartet feel like they were really great. I hope Joe flashes that smile at old St. Pete. It'll surely get him a front row seat in heaven.

Frank & Della Fabian

September 29, 2008

I regret that I couldn't be with you in person to express my condolences on the loss of your husband and father. I met Joe as a Chicago Barbershopper and consider him a friend. We shared many a song together and he added the Northwest Chicago Metro Chapter to his long list of Barbershop accomplishments when he volunteered to help fill out our baritone section for contest. His efforts enabled us to win the Most Improved Chorus award that year. We missed Joe in Peoria this year but in his memory many of us wore a coat and tie as he always did. We look forward to joining him in That Great Chorus in the Sky but not right now. Hugs all around.

Nancy Hudson

September 27, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Margery Bettman

September 27, 2008

You have my sympathy on the loss of your husband and father. Augie and I first met through mutual friends ,
Ann & Rudy Hanson. Since we are all former Peorians, we met at gatherings in Arlington Heights.
It is a rather different road that we must travel until the time to rejoin those
who have gone ahead. You have much support from family and friends.

Marge Bettman
1246 Foxfire Lane
Naples, Fl. 34104

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