Joseph Lestina

Joseph W. Lestina

Age 88 of Coal City, passed away Tuesday morning, May 22, 2007 at Morris Hospital

Born October 08, 1918 in Braidwood, Joe was a son of the late John and Bessie (Kral) Lestina. He was raised and educated in Braidwood and graduated from Braidwood High School with the graduating class of 1936. On October 12, 1940 Joe married Bessie Swartz in Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, and together they lived their entire married life in Coal City. Bessie preceded Joe in death on October 18, 1983. For over 40 years Joe was employed at the Celotex Corporation in Wilmington, retiring in 1980. On October 29, 1988 he married Stella Karl in Peru and she preceded him on March 17, 2001. Joe was a member of Assumption Catholic Church and in his free time he enjoyed his garden.

Survivors include his children: Joseph (Kathleen) Lestina and Jean (Joseph) Macaluso both of Coal City. Four grandchildren: Kimberly and Aaron Lestina of Diamond, Karen (Ray) Ferrero of Morris and Laurie (Mike) Knick of Joliet. Three great grandchildren: Dominic Ferrero, Nicholas Ferrero and Amelia Knick; one sister Bessie DiGuisto of Braidwood; two brothers: George Lestina of Braidwood and Frederick "Lefty" (Laura) Lestina of Wilmington and one sister-in-law Elsie Swartz of Coal City. Numerous nieces and nephews; one step-daughter Shirley (Ronald) Thiers of Coal City and four step-grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wives Bessie and Stella, two brothers: John "Jack" Lestina and Frank "Pork" Lestina; two sisters: Eleanore Fleishman and Agnes Novy and one son-in-law Ken Vilt.

Visitation will be held on Thursday May 24, 2007 between the hours of 5:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Funeral services will follow Friday May 25th at 10:00AM in Assumption Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Rev. Mike Pennock officiating.

Burial will be in Bohemian National Cemetery in Braidwood.

Preferred memorial may be made as gifts in Joe's memory to the Coal City Fireman's Association, 65 South DeWitt Place, Coal City, Illinois 60416.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.