Joseph "Uncle Joe" Mendel

Joseph Paul Mendel, 94,of Zion, Illinois passed away Saturday Sept. 5, 2009 at St. Anthony Hospice in Crown Point, Indiana. He was born March 6, 1915 in North Chicago, Illinois to immigrant parents Anton & Catherine (nee: Taranjlno) Mendel from Czechoslovakia. At age 4, Joe was sent to live at St. Mary's Training School Orphanage in Des Plaines, Illinois following the death of his mother during childbirth. He remained there until the age of 16. Joe served in the United States Army from 1941-1945 in Europe. His working years were spent as a union laborer, building roads. Joe never married. In his spare time, Joe loved spending time at Arlington horse track or Dairyland dog track. He loved telling jokes & helping neighbors. He will be missed by many. He leaves behind a "family" of great-nieces: Michelle (Mark) McKibben of Chesterton, Indiana, Melissa (John) Lehmann of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Melinda (Calvin) Tinsley of Titusville, Florida as well as 8 great-great nieces & nephews. Brothers Paul Mendel, James Johnson, and sisters Louise Schwegel, & Mary Metzler preceded Joe in death. On September 19, 2009 at 10 AM. a memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Humility in Beach Park/Zion, IL. with Fr. Thomas Hoffman officiating. Joe will be laid to rest in the Lake Forest Cemetery, Lake Forest Illinois.