JOSEPH F. PANEGASSER

Joseph F. Panegasser formerly of Des Plaines for 55 years Joseph F. Panegasser, 88, was the dear father of Joseph Jr. (Diane) Panegasser, Candace (Thomas) Sagan and Mary (Keith) Sparks; loving grandfather of Joseph III (Liz) Panegasser, Shelly (Thomas) Howard, Cara (Lee) Streekstra, David (Kristen) Sagan, Christopher Wruck and Andrew Sparks; and devoted great-grandfather of Josh, Jackson, Jensen, Jude, Andrew, Lindsay, Natalie, Tyler, Laurel, and Aaron, and loving brother of Robert (Helen) Panegasser. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph F. and Mary (nee Toffolo); Rita, his devoted wife of 66 years; and sisters, Lillian (Harry) Gerlich and Dorothy (Frank) Stransky. Born Jan. 16, 1924, in Chicago, Joe passed away peacefully with his loving family and friends at his side on Monday, Oct 1, 2012, at Friendship Village in Schaumburg. Joe grew up in Chicago, attending Crane Tech High School. During high school, he met the love of his life, Margaret Little. Shortly after his marriage to "Rita", he entered the Army Air Corps as a Communication Specialist. He was a World War II veteran serving in the European Theatre. Upon completion of his active duty he became a lifelong member of the VFW Post 2992. After returning home from the war he began study to become a Journeyman Electrician, a trade he practiced for 40 Years. He was a member of the IBEW Union #134. He loved the Boy Scouts of America and served as a leader for many years in Troop 114 at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Des Plaines. He was an active softball player and organizer for neighborhood events. Upon retiring in 1986, he took up the hobby of making airplanes out of aluminum cans. He delighted in making "special orders" for family and friends. He enjoyed gardening and traveling with his wife, Rita. Joe's favorite times were when he was gathered with family. He was a true gentleman, a hard worker, devoted family man, and a proud Italian. Everyone who knew Joe loved him. He will be greatly missed. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St. (Northwest Highway/Route 14 at Rand Road), Des Plaines, IL 60016. Interment will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the caregivers at Briarwood Healthcare at Friendship Village. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org. For further information and directions, please call 847-824-5155 or visit www.oehlerfuneralhome.com.