Delavan, WI – Joseph Anthony Van Tuyle Sr. (91) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017.
He was born in Chicago on March 18, 1926, to Tyrus and Florence (Podolny) Porter. He was raised by his grandmother, Mayme Van Tuyle.
He will be sorely missed by the love of his life, Mary Jean (Wall) Van Tuyle with whom he celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2017. He is also survived by his children: Robert (Anna Brown) Van Tuyle; Patricia (John) LaBella; Sharon (deceased Herb) Bedell; Linda (Kevin) Mulcrone; Carol Van Tuyle (Jeff Webb); Mary Kathryn (Robert) Salo; and Jean (Jeff) LaMarre; daughter-in-law, Linda Van Tuyle; 23 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and 1 great-great- grandchild; a large extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Van Tuyle, Jr.
Joe graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1943. The summer before his senior year, he took accelerated courses, so he could graduate from high school early, and then enlist in the service as soon as he turned 18.
He was a proud World War II veteran, enlisting in the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1944. He attended the United States Naval Training School at The University of Chicago, graduating as a radioman. He served our country for two years, stationed in the Pacific on Peleliu Island, the site of a World War II battle between U.S. and Japanese troops.
After the Navy, Joe graduated from the American Television Institute of Technology, Chicago in 1949, with a Bachelor of Science in Television Engineering. Over the years, he built his own television repair business, Village Radio and TV; worked for the B&O Railroad; and then taught electronics in several inner city Chicago public high schools, for 25 years. There was a time when Joe held all three of these jobs at once, while attending night school at Roosevelt University, Chicago, earning his Teaching Certificate in 1965.
Joe loved music and dancing. He sang in church choirs. He was an usher and a lector as well. He volunteered as a clown at children’s church events. He loved parties, family talent shows, bowling, boating, fishing, water skiing, snowmobiling, playing cards, playing softball until he was in his mid-80s, and wintering with friends and family in Marco Island, FL. A lifelong Cubs fan, he was thrilled to see them win the 2016 World Series
Chicagoans Joe and Jean took annual family vacations to Assembly Park on Lake Delavan, WI, from 1965 until 2005, when they made Assembly Park their permanent residence. He volunteered on the Assembly Park Board for many years.
Most of all he loved his family, instilling strong values and morals in his children and grandchildren, by living examples of loving family, God and country, while practicing his faith.
In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to:
The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of WI, Inc..PO BOX 324, Menasha , WI 54952, progdir@pwsaofwi.org, 920-733-3077;
Neurofibromatosis Midwest, 473 Dunham Rd, Suite 3, St. Charles, IL 60174,
630-945-3562;
Cancer Support Center, 2028 Elm Rd., Homewood, IL, 60430, (708)798-9171
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, 714 E. Walworth Avenue in Delavan WI. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Monroe Funeral Home, 604 E. Walworth Ave in Delavan. Burial will be held at St. Andrew’s Cemetery. MONROE FUNERAL HOME in Delavan is assisting the family. Please visit us at delavanfuneralhome.com
