Joseph Paul "Joe" Stalzer Jr.

Joseph Paul “Joe” Stalzer Jr., age 91, of Manteno passed away Friday, April 5, 2024 at Beecher Manor in Beecher. He was born January 8, 1933 in Chicago, the son of Joseph P. Sr. & Margaret I. (Crowley) Stalzer. He graduated from St. Rita High School in Chicago. Joe married Margaret “Margie” Ahern on September 4, 1954 in Chicago at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on March 23, 2011. Joe was a Stationary Engineer with the Chicago Park District, the Lincoln Park Zoo, Garfield Park, and the most endearing position, Buckingham Fountain. Joe was an artist/cartoonist. He enjoyed playing cards, dancing, working on cars, and cooking- making his famous chili. Joe enjoyed being a caregiver to whom became his dear friend, Gordon Franklin of St. Anne. The Franklins grew to be dear friends of both Mr. & Mrs. Stalzer and with each other’s families. He enjoyed hunting pheasants and rabbits with his father and grandfather in Ashkum, IL. Surviving are three sons, Joseph M. “Joe Mike” (Catherine) Stalzer of Worth, Mark R. (Karen) Stalzer of New Lenox, and John E. (Suzanne) Stalzer of Frankfort; two daughters, Margaret S. “Peg” Stalzer-Nimz of Watseka and Mary Elizabeth “Mary Beth” Stalzer (Joan Stohl) of Chicago; thirteen grandchildren, Christina (Christopher) Husenger, Jason (Mia) Noir, Joseph (Elizabeth) Stalzer, Jonathan Stalzer, Alexander Stalzer, Jennifer (Daniel) Adorno, Nicholas (Amy) Pacholski, Katherine (Charles) Manthei, Mark Stalzer, Andrew Pacholski, Bryan (Bridget) Stalzer, Donald Stalzer, and Sabrina (Ryan) Gorney; twenty six great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Marylynne Ahern-Cedar (Bob Cedar); one brother-in-law, Michael Petrizzo; and many much loved nieces and nephews who will miss their dear Uncle Joe. In addition to his wife, Joe is preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law, Stuart Nimz; and beloved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rich & Marie Ahern, Jack Ahern, Mary Jean (Baburek) & Fred Bright, James & Judith Ahern, Lawrence Ahern, and Maureen (Wiggins) Petrizzo. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Manteno. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manteno. Rev. Anthony Nugent will celebrate the Mass. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brain Trauma Foundation at https://braintrauma.org/donate.

Joseph Paul "Joe" Stalzer Jr.

January 8, 1933 - April 5, 2024