Joseph Martorelli Jr.

On Sunday, September 2, 2018, Joseph Martorelli, Jr., of Oak Park, IL, departed peacefully from this life with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be 11:30 AM Friday September 7, 2018 in the Hurst Funeral Home in Wenona with Rev. Peter M. Glock officiating. Burial will be in Rutland Cemetery with military services. Visitation will be Friday from 10:30 AM until time of services in the funeral home.

Joseph was born on February 23, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, to Giuseppe Martorellli and Rose Ida Falco-Martorelli. Joseph received an Associate Degree in Engineering from the Newark College of Engineering (NJIT) in 1957 and a B.S. in Business and Economics from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1968. In 1958, Joseph was inducted into the United States Army and served until honorable discharge in 1960.

During that time while stationed in Ottawa, Illinois, he and Marlene Thies met. They were married in Zion Lutheran Church in Wenona, IL, on June 9, 1962, and settled in Oak Park, IL, and were blessed to have recently celebrated 56 years of marriage.

Immediately following the signing of NAFTA, Joseph made his mark in the international business world as president of American Machinery Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Goodman Equipment Corporation, by expanding business markets in Mexico, and by fostering industry opportunities in Zambia, Africa, and Johannesburg, South Africa.

While in the army, he learned how to play the guitar. He was fond of listening to Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Townes Van Zandt.

Joseph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and his family meant the world to him. He was a generous and gentle man who took the time to listen. As in his business dealings, his counsel was always sound.

Joseph is survived by devoted and loving wife Marlene Martorelli, daughter Michelle Martorelli Steil, granddaughter Aurora Steil, brother Salvatore Martorelli, sister Concetta Leslie, and sister-in-law Jeanette Thies.

Dear husband, father, and grandfather, we love you always.

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