Joseph J. Furmanek

Joseph John "Joe" Furmanek II, 85, Rockford, departed this life Monday, December 24, 2012, in Provena Cor Mariae.He was born August 3, 1927, in Buffalo, NY, the son of Joseph John and Irene (Szott) Furmanek I.Joe was a WWII veteran of the Navy, serving aboard the aircraft carrier, Lake Champlain.He married Evelyn Machtel in Buffalo on May 26, 1953.They moved to Orange County, CA in 1954.Joe transferred from the Chrysler plant in CA to Belvidere, IL in 1965, as a manager in the assembly area.He retired in 1988, and during his retirement he worked at the Clock Tower for almost 20 years.Evelyn passed away in Rockford on December 15, 2003.Joe was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church serving as an usher and a soup kitchen coordinator.He was also a member of the Boots and Bonnets Car Club of Rockford.The family would like to thank Dr. Korkmaz and his staff, and the staff at Provena Cor Mariae for their kind and compassionate care.Joe is survived by his children, Joseph (Karen), Paula (Jerry) Swenson, both of Roscoe, Peggi (Thomas) Vesecky of Arlington Heights, Nettie (Richard) Pell of Monroe Center, and Jeff (Wendy) of Arizona; grandchildren, Jeremy, Rick Jr., Emily (Noah) Millard, Joel (Meryn), Kaleb (Kayla), Monica (fianca?©, Tyler Baker), Andrea, Stephanie (Jason) Bisterfeldt, Jason (Hayden), Kevin, and Courtney; greatgrandchildren, Clara and Theodore Millard; sister, Sally Dombek of Buffalo, NY; brother, Arthur (Ellen), many nieces, nephews, and special friends Pat and Paul Frey.Also predeceased by his parents, his wife, twin brother Max and his wife Marian, sisters, Angie Szemraj and Becky Chicoki, brotherinlaw, John Dombek, and sisterand brotherinlaw, Janet (John) Odachowski.Funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 29, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 220 E. Second St., Byron, 61010 with Reverend Howard Barch officiating.Visitation will be Friday, December 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with scripture service and Rosary recitation at 7:45 PM, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Provena Cor Mariae, 3330 Maria Linden Drive, Rockford, IL 61114.