Joseph Kozlevcar Sr.
PEORIA - Joseph G. Kozlevcar, 78, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away peacefully from cancer at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home on Monday, October 19, 2020. Joe was born on March 5, 1942, in Joliet, Illinois, to Helen (nee Jarotkiewicz) and Joseph R. Kozlevcar. Joe married M. Caroline (Carol) Kozlevcar on June 20, 1964, at St. Joseph's Church in Joliet, Illinois.
Joe attended St. Joseph Grade School and Joliet Township High School in Joliet, Illinois. He then attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and earned a BSEE (1963) and MSEE (1966) Cum Laude. He was elected a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and in the Engineering honorary societies Omicron Delta Kappa, Sigma Tau, Eta Kappa Nu, and Tau Beta Pi. He was chosen the Hamilton Watch Award winner as Engineering Student of the Year in 1963.
Joe worked for Caterpillar for 31 years, retiring as a Supervising Engineer in the Electronic Controls Section in 1994. He held several design patents for Caterpillar. He was also a Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois. Joe was a 3rd degree Member of Knights of Columbus #427 since 1965 and a charter member of IEEE Electrical Engineering Society. Joe was also very proud of being the Captain of the Joliet 1956 PONY League National Championship baseball team.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his son Joseph, Jr., his sister Elaine and her husband Ray, his nephew Ray Pleski, Jr., and his niece Michelle Zath.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Carol, his adored children, Mark (Jamie) of El Segundo, California, and Laura Campbell (Chris) of West Hartford, Connecticut, two treasured grandchildren, Rowan and Serena, and his wonderful older brother, Carl (Patricia) Kozlevcar, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses.
Cremation rites have been entrusted to Cumerford-Clary Funeral Home of Peoria. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Joe will be laid to rest in a Columbarium at Resurrection Cemetery and Mausoleum in Peoria.
Joe and Carol have been members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Peoria, Illinois, since 1968. Joe is now with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.cumerfordclary.com.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joe's memory to the Illinois CancerCare Foundation or to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Peoria. Joe was cared for by the cancer care team headed by Dr. Greg Gerstner, and previously by Dr. Joseph Banno. The cancer care in Peoria is second to none.

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Published by Peoria Journal Star from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Kozlevcar

Sponsored by Cumerford-Clary Funeral Home - Peoria.

6 Entries

Jack & Mary Plotner

October 17, 2024

A friend is a friend for life. We miss him as I'm sure his family deals with that every day. At least, Carol is with him for eternity.

Jack & Mary Plotner

October 17, 2022

Joe and Carol and their family were very special friends. We always enjoyed their hospitality. We miss them both.

Jim Ward

November 9, 2020

Carol and family--so sorry to hear about Joe. He was a very intelligent person and a fine baseball catcher. Joe was the captain of the 1956 World Champion Ingalls Park Pony League team from Joliet, IL. I enjoyed being with him and the members of that team at baseball reunions over the years. We will miss you Joe. Jim & Mary Ann Ward

Judith Hilarie

October 30, 2020

So sorry to hear Joe has passed so soon after Joe Jr. So pleased that he is at peace now. And it's good that Laura can be there with you for awhile to help ease your mourning. May God comfort you.

Judith Hilarie

Jack & Mary Ploter

October 30, 2020

Joe was a very dear friend for many years. Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to Carol, Mark and Laura.

Edward Johnson

October 25, 2020

Carol and Family,

I am very sad to read of Joe’s passing. I hired into Caterpillar on June 24, 1963 as an Electrical Engineer for Research. In September 1966, the Computer and Controls Group I was in, moved from Building W in East Peoria, IL to Building E, at the Caterpillar Technical Center in Mossville, IL. The group became the Controls and Fluid Mechanics Group. Sometime after that, I met Joe when one of my projects needed an engine test cell in Building L, where Joe worked. I left the Technical Center in March 1973 to work at Production Technology, Inc., a Caterpillar subsidiary (Inertia Welders). Also, Joe and I had conversations at local IEEE meetings. In my Junior year (1962) at Michigan State University, I joined the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) which became part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) in 1963.

I hope your many happy memories will help you get through this most difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Ed Johnson
Peoria, IL.

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