Joseph Konesko Jr.

Joseph Konesko Jr. died at his residence on May 2nd, in Mattoon, Illinois at the age of 83. Joseph (Joe) is survived by his daughters; Jodie Konesko of Mattoon, Illinois and Jaye (Kevin) Minghine of Clinton, Michigan; and son, Joseph Konesko of Charleston, Illinois. Joseph has 9 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, JoAnn; a brother, Jerry; his wife, Judith Maxine Phelps; a daughter, Jennifer Erin Konesko. Joe was born on January 7, 1939 in Saginaw, Michigan to Joseph Konesko Sr. and Louise Alma Fritz. He married Judith in Las Vegas on December 22,1962. Over a period of time, the couple welcomed 4 children into their home. Joe joined the Army in 1958 and completed his stint in 1962. He remained on reserve, for two years after. He was a Specialist 4, 3rd Armor Division, Hell On Wheels.He was stationed in Ft. Hood, California, then was sent to Germany to prepare to be sent to Vietnam. He went back to Ft. Hood, and didn't get deployed out from there. Joe was a lifetime collector of Lionel trains. He collected O Gauge, and had been collecting them since receiving his first train set at the age of 2 from his father. He also enjoyed stamp and coin collecting. He made miniature scaled buildings and other landmarks, from items he had laying around the house. He has a model of Mattoon's Train Depot, that he built, on display at the Mattoon Train Museum. Joe will be dearly missed by his family. He will be laid to rest, with his wife and daughter, at Keller Cemetery in Lovington, Illinois.