Joseph F. Grega, Jr.

Age 77 of Diamond, Illinois died Sunday, January 12, 2025 in Diamond.

Born March 3, 1947 in Joliet, Illinois, Joe was the son of Joseph, Sr. and Hazel (Miller) Grega. He was raised and educated in Coal City and graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1965. Joe attended Joliet Junior College and Northern Illinois University, and on August 17, 1968, he married Karen Tyler at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City, and together they shared in 56 years of marriage.

He worked for the Dresden Nuclear Station in Morris, Illinois for 27 years, demonstrating his hard work and dedication until he retired in 2003. Joe spent much of his time outdoors fishing and was very proud to hold a state record for the largest Perch caught in Illinois. He was a member of the Coal City Area Club where he enjoyed going for his daily rides. Joe also was a member of Ducks Unlimited and was fond of hunting with his friends who gave him the nickname of “Goose”. He also made time for leisure by boating on the lake or going golfing.

Joe was an avid Chicago sports fan, especially of the White Sox, and was always up for a game of cards with his friends. He was quite the jokester and well known for his great sense of humor, but he also was a generous man with his time if anyone needed a hand. Joe never missed the Chicago Sun-Times, always reading it cover to cover, and had a keen eye for finding great deals in the sales ads. He loved all animals, especially his golden retrievers, but none more than his wife and son who were always his number one priority.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Grega of Diamond, and his son, Brian Grega of Diamond; his sister-in-law, Kathleen (the late Joe) Lestina of Diamond; two nieces, Haley (James) Florey-Hoffman of Tyler, Texas and Kim (Mark) Pavlis of Coal City, and one nephew, Aaron Lestina of Diamond; as well as several cousins and many beloved friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Debra Grega, and his mother and father-in-law: Marvin and Delores “Lori” Tyler.

Per Joe’s wishes, cremation rites are being accorded.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway Street (one block north of Illinois Route 113), in Coal City on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of memorial service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Braceville Gardner Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Joe’s memory to the family for distribution to charities of their choosing.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Joe’s memorial page via social media.

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Coal City (815) 634-2125.