Joseph "Joe Pop" Popurella

1950 - 2022

Joseph "Joe Pop" Popurella
Born: April 10, 1950 in LaSalle, IL
Died: June 25, 2022 in Princeton, IL
Joseph H. "Joe Pop" Popurella, 72 of Oglesby died June 25, 2022 in Aperion Care, Princeton.
Services will be 1 p.m. Friday in the Shields Funeral Chapel, Oglesby, with viewing from 12:30 to 1 PM
Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, LaSalle.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral chapel.
Joe was born April 10, 1950 in LaSalle to Joseph and Helen (O'Brien) Popurella. He married Sheryl Sonnenberg July 15, 1972 in the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, LaSalle.
Joe was a production planner for Sauer Danfoss until his retirement in 2005.
In his younger years Joe spent his time playing softball, and was known for his head first sliding skills. If you knew Joe you know he liked to show off. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals so much that's where Sherri and Joe went on their honeymoon. They continued that tradition every year since. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spent many summers in Canada with his Mom and Dad. He also spent summers at his house in Wisconsin fishing with friends. In the summer you would find Joe Pop in the sun drinking a PBR in his pool.
Joe loved his Western's and loved to brag about how many "steps" he got in each day. (over 10,000 per day!)
In the last few years Joe had significant health problems but you would never hear him complain. He was a fighter until the very end.
He is survived by his wife Sherri of Oglesby, 2 daughters; Bec (Brian Cruz) Popurella of Spring Valley and Kristy (Louie) Cruz of Peru, 2 grandchildren; Jake Popurella and Hannah (Scott) Coutts and 1 great-grandchild on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his paternal Grandmother Helen O'Brien.
Pallbearers will be Jake Popurella, Brian Cruz, Louie Cruz, Scott Coutts, Rog Moellering and George Kasap.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Illinois CancerCare Foundation, Peru.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.shieldsfuneralchapel.com