Joseph Essex

PULASKI, Ill. — Joseph William (Joe) Essex, 88, of Pulaski died Saturday, May 17, 2008, at his home.

He was born June 27, 1919, in Pulaski, son of Joseph Oliver and Ethel Hennington Essex. He and Ora L. Schukar were married April 26, 1941, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Olmsted, Ill.

Essex was self employed as a carpenter and farmer. He served during World War II in North Africa and Anzio, Italy, in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Olmsted, the Carpenter's Union in Metropolis, Ill., a lifetime member of Pulaski County Post 8891, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mounds, Ill., the American Legion Post 178 in Villa Ridge, Ill., and the Cairo, Ill., Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Ora, of Pulaski; a daughter, Linda Bowers of Lake of Egypt, Ill.; three sisters, Verna Minton of Ferndale, Mich., Wanda Campbell of Mounds and Eileen Henderson of New Port Richey, Fla.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, a grandson and two sisters.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Ullin, Ill., and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Olmsted.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Carl Miller officiating. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Pulaski.