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Joseph Cemeno Obituary
Joe is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Janice (Pfeifer), who cared for him selflessly for years; his loving children, Jill (Lou) Glavan, Sharon (Joel) Hicks, Sue (Danny) Schultz, Michael (Joy) Cemeno, and Natalie Cemeno. Special extra daughter, Betsy (Penton) Chung. 12 Grandchildren, Jake and Ally Glavan, Ian and Katie Hicks, Samantha and Mark Schultz, Nick, Kevin, Faith, Hannah, and Maria Cemeno, and Ben Cemeno. He is also survived by one sister, Carmella (Turk), and three brothers, Fred, Tom and Tony Cemeno; Best friend and cousin, Mike Mancuso; and special nephew, Frank Turk, part of his "Tuesday's with Sepper" group.
He leaves behind so many dear friends, too many to name.
Lifetime resident of his beloved town of Joliet. Joe grew up on the east side and attended Sacred Heart School and Joliet Catholic High School. Out of high school Joe worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance, then sold cars at Bill Jacobs Chevrolet Joliet. In 1976 he attained his dream of opening his own restaurant. Long time member of St. John the Baptist Church. Joe loved his church and was involved for many years. He was a faithful man of God who gave Him credit for all his accomplishments here on earth. His family was his pride and joy, especially his grandchildren whom he loved and mentored over the years. He also loved to be at his family restaurant to be around all of his friends, customers and employees. He was lovingly know as the "Sepper" and will be dearly missed by those who worked there.
Special thanks to all of the staff of Joliet Area Community Hospice, especially Jan, Chris, and Michelle who cared for him daily, also his special nurse Fran. Also thanks to all the "extra" family who carried us through, especially Norene and Amber Peterson and Nancy Schultz. Joe was so proud of his son's mission and ministry that Michael recently started. In lieu of flowers any donations to "Fishers of Men" would be appreciated. Tezak's Home to Celebrate Life
1211 Plainfield Rd.
Joliet, IL. 815 722-0524
www.tezakfuneralhome.com
Joseph A. Cemeno will Lie in State at St. John's Catholic Church on Monday morning from 9am until time of Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10am. Interment at St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be at Tezak's Home to Celebrate Life on Sunday from 2-9pm, Prayer Services at 7:30pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Cemeno
Bill & Bette McBride
September 27, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to a wonderful family that Joe was so proud of and rightfully so!
Mina, Cisco & Cristina Bibian
September 26, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
EDDIE, MARIA, JULIE & JANA ANDERSON
September 26, 2007
We are sending our deepest sympathy. I was thinking of the great times your family the (girls)had taking about their Dad. We are all so blessed to have know such a wonderful giving person and how he touched so many people. Our prayers are with your family.
Eddie, Maria, Jana & Julie Anderson
RoseMary Reichenbach
September 25, 2007
The Lord looked down and saw you were ready to come home.
He took your hand and lead the way.
Dawn
September 24, 2007
Joe was an incredible man, never to be replaced. Our hearts were saddened to hear of his passing. He was always so nice to all of us at the restaurant. I went down Essington tonight and had a tear in my eye as I passed. He will always be remembered.
Oscar Martinez
September 24, 2007
So sorry for your loss, my prayers are with the family.
Robert & Donna Fox
September 23, 2007
Dear Jan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and and your family this Sunday night as we just received a phone call letting us know of Joe's passing. We have been blessed to have met both you and Joe through our fellowship at St. John's when we lived in Joliet. He was truly an inspiration to us as he was to many. May God's peace be with you as your "servant-leader" is in Heaven with Him.
Deb Kalchbrenner
September 23, 2007
Dear Cemeno Family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. "Papa Joe" was a wonderful, kind, generous man that touched the lives of those who knew him. I will remember him fondly and with much respect and love. I consider myself lucky to be able to work with him and your family for many years. I know he is watching over you peacefully from heaven and making them some great pies!!!
God Bless,
Deb Delrose-Kalchbrenner
Donna (Delrose) Stolarek
September 23, 2007
Dave and I will pray for your family. Joe was a great man to work for--he will be remembered.
Lovingly,
Donna
Lynda Baker
September 23, 2007
To the Cemeno Family;
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
Just know that Joe would want people to celebrate his life not mourn his death.
He will be missed.
Ron Davis
September 23, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sisters Clare & Thadine Wand & Kaminski
September 23, 2007
Our deepest sympathy and prayers .
May Joseph rest in Peace.
Michelle Locknar - Carr
September 23, 2007
My deepest sympathies to the entire Cemeno family. Our families have known eachother for a very long time, but my personal memories of Joe are tied to the days I worked my first job at Aurelio's Pizza over 21 years ago. He was always smiling, and visiting with everyone who walked through the door.
robert ,beth and martina morrill
September 23, 2007
sorry for your loss.he will be missed,but he left behind his legacy for all of joliet to enjoy his restaurant.we enjoyed eating there for many years,when we are in the area we always stop in and will continue that tradition.
Pamela Draviczki
September 23, 2007
To Jan & Family,
May you find peace in your sorrow.
Our prayers are with you.
Pamela (Martino) Draviczki & Family
Toni Johnson
September 23, 2007
To the Cemeno Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Joe. I know that he had a heart of gold, and was truly loved by this community. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
georgene spier
September 22, 2007
dear jan and family: we were so sorry to hear of your loss. joe was a kind and gentle soul. our prayers are with all of you. love, georgene, scott, jenniffer, jim and twins
Mike & Sheila Sasso
September 22, 2007
Shock...and...awe!
Shock that he is gone from this earth and can't give us the warmth of his conversation anymore.
Awe that he was such a fine person and touched so many with genuine friendship and neighborliness.
We feel genuinely blessed that we had the chance to know Joe Cemeno. We are so sorry for your loss and know that it is profound. May your faith and memories sustain you all.
The Mike Sasso family
Mike, Sheila, Douglas & Cindy, Karen and Sheila Marie
/Dolly, Kevin and Dorothy Calcaterra
September 22, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to Joe's loving family on the loss of a wonderful man.
sue maier-o'brien
September 22, 2007
jan and family,
please know that mike, matt, john and i all loved "papa joe" very very much. you will all be in our prayers. and probably when he runs into bernie, they'll be trading catholic high stories. with much love, sue maier-o'brien
Lisa and Lauren Las
September 22, 2007
Our prayers are with the entire Cemeno family. We're sorry for your loss.
Robert Locknar
September 22, 2007
Dear
Cemeno Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. As I read the obituary
it's obvious to me that, Joe, your Dad, has left quite a legacy. When
I read that he had the restaurant for 31 years I was reminded that he was the one that gave me my first job. One of the last times that I was in Joliet I was at the restaurant with my family and I was able to thank your Dad for
giving me that opportunity so long ago. He touched many lives and will be fondly remembered by many.
Regards,
Robert Locknar (Jr)
Lawrence J. Stukel
September 22, 2007
Janice and family of Joe Cemeno: How well I remember Joe's ready smile and our time together with other friends on a Mississipi houseboat trip years ago and attending retreats with Victor Gallo and others .Larry Stukel
Bob and Bev Coveny
September 22, 2007
To The Cemeno Family.
Pleae accept our deepest sympathy as we hear that your loved one has gone home. Know that he is at peace and in the arms of His Heavenly Father. Love and Prayers.
Bob and Bev Coveny
Paul and Pattie Guerin
September 22, 2007
Dear Cemeno Family, I wish with all my heart that Paul and I could be there with you at this time. You know we loved Joe so much. He was so kind and had such a sweet smile. He will truly be missed. Sharon, I especially want to thank you for taking me to go see your dad and mom when I was there. I will never forget when I was singing for him and he started to sing with me "I want to see Jesus". Well, he's dancing with Him know. Paul and I love you all and I hope the song I sent will be a comfort to you. May you all rest in God's sustaining love knowing that Joe is with his Savior and we will all see him again soon.
Love You,
Tom Barrowman
September 22, 2007
Sorry to hear about your loss, he will be missed by everyone.
Tara Cotton
September 22, 2007
Natalie and Family, I wish I could be there with you to celebrate your dad's life, I enjoyed your dad so much, I was there in July and spoke with Jill and she told me he was not doing well. Please contact me if you need anything to talk or whatever it may be. I love you and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Your friend always, Tara (Bak) Cotton.
A customer forever,
September 22, 2007
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007
Robert A. Stewart, Jr.
September 22, 2007
To the Cemeno Family, I am extremely sorry to hear of your loss. In the years that I lived in Joliet some of my most memorable times were spent at your family's restaurant with friends and family. If your father happened to be at the restaurant he always made a point to stop by and say hello even if I was in for a carryout. He was always so friendly and warm with his wishes. I will keep your family in my prayers. God Bless.
Robert A. Stewart, Jr. JCHS '78
Carl & Carolyn Carlson
September 22, 2007
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
SADIE WEST
September 22, 2007
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU...WE WILL MISS OUR JOSEPH DEEPLY!!
SADIE AND MIKEY WEST
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