Joseph W. Krupke

Joseph W. Krupke, 78, of Freeport, Illinois, passed away December 7, 2025 in Davis, Illinois. Joe was born on March 26, 1947 in Belvedere, Illinois to Emil and Clementina (Janicki) Krupke. He was a lifelong resident of Freeport and graduated from Freeport Senior High School. He worked for Kelly Springfield Tire Co. , later Titan Tire, until his retirement. In his retirement, he worked at Demeesters Greenhouse and Pretzel City Transit.

He married Mary Ellen Trunck on June 28, 1968 and they went on to have four children, Tricia, Kristina, Mary Jo and Joseph. They remained married until Mary's death on July 24, 1996.

Joe married Rita Lyn (Kirchberg) Monigold on December 18, 1998. Rita passed away on December 5, 2024.

Joe enjoyed hunting and fishing. He recently bought a yellow Corvette convertible and liked taking it on road trips to see his children and grandchildren. He was also a member of the Fraternal order of Eagles Aerie 679.

Joe is survived by his children, Tricia (John) Kelso of Fremont , Nebraska ; Kristina DuFour of Waterloo, Iowa; Mary Jo Krupke of Waterloo, Iowa; and Joseph (Sarah) Krupke of Gardner ,Kansas; his stepchildren Heather (Rob Scheidegger) Oborne of Brodhead, Wisconsin and Brett (Mimi) Monigold of Shannon, Illinois; grandchildren, Alex and Rebecca DuFour and Addison and Landon Krupke; step grandchildren Morgan Monigold, Danielle Tiemessen, Dalton Oborne, Derrick Oborne, Quinn (Brooke) Scheidegger, Shayla Scheidegger, Rendi (Justin) Stephens, John Kelso and Jordan (Rick) Rowse , five step great grandchildren, his siblings Patrick (Cheryl) Krupke of Greenville, Ohio, Lorraine Chappell of Pecatonica, Illinois, Carol Krupke of Freeport, Illinois, Mary Levine of The Dalles, Oregon, Suzanne (Darren) Downey of The Dalles, Oregon, and David Dixon of The Dalles, Oregon; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Mary and Rita, his parents and his step parents, Bonnie Krupke and Cardell Dixon, and a brother, Charles Krupke.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm with an Eagles Service to follow, at Leamon' s Funeral Home in Lena, Illinois.

The funeral mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Freeport, Illinois on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 11:00 am with visitation hours before the service from 9:30 until the time of service.

Internment will be at Chapel Hills Memorial Gardens in Freeport, Illinois.

A memorial has been established in his memory.