Joseph Pletzke Obituary

Pletzke, Joseph W. "Awesome Joe" Age 82, Oak Forest resident since 1967. Husband of Phyllis A. Pletzke (Luttrell); stepfather to Debra (Russell) Klimczak (Luttrell), David Luttrell, Daniel (Kristina) Luttrell and the late Dean R. Luttrell; son of the late Joseph and Dorothy (Daniels) Pletzke. Joe served in the U.S. Fifth Army, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, U.S., Sixth Army, 19th Ordinance 1958 - 1960 Fort Ord, California, Hunter Ligget Military Reservation, California, and 573rd Ordinance Camp Roberts, California. Eleventh Howitzer Battalion, 1960 - 1964, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. Born September 27, 1935 in Chicago, son of Joseph and Dorothy Pletzke (Daniels). Youngest of four children brought up during the "Great Depression" in the "Back of the Yards neighborhood." Brother to Alice (Pletzke) Susnjara of Phoenix, AZ.) and the late Daniel and Arlene (Pletzke) Schaade; uncle to Thomas, Daniel, Theresa, Patricia, Mark, Joseph, and Paul; step-grandfather of Kristen (Luttrell) Campos, Danielle and Jackson Luttrell, Shaun Pangburn, Sean, Kyle and Ryan Ross; step-great-grandfather of Charlotte. Joseph was a retired Auto Dealership Certified Master Auto Technician, (ASE), and a Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) and earned his degree from Wellesley College and worked as a outside travel salesman part time for years. He traveled extensively from Europe, to Hawaii, most of the Caribbean and all of Mexico, even driving to Acapulco. Joe also enjoyed working on his family genealogy that went back many centuries. Joseph volunteered as Charter Member of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad for almost ten years on the rifle squad, Officer of Oak Forest Illinois Emergency Management since 1998, Oak Forest Veteran's Commission, Board member of the U.S Government Stand-By Selective Service, American Legion Orland Park Post 111 Honor Guard, Sir Knight, Forth Degree Knights of Columbus Brother Kerkle Council 5866, St. Christopher's in Midlothian, and St. Damian's Men's Club. Joe was a volunteer for over 30 years at various organizations. Visitation Sunday, March 25, 2018, 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 Harlem Avenue, Tinley Park, IL. Funeral Monday 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home to St. Damian Church, 5300 W. 155th for mass of Christian Burial, 10:00 a.m. Entombment in Good Shepard Cemetery Mausoleum. Joe will be awarded full military honors. Members of the following organization are invited to participate in the wake and funeral. Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad, Oak Forest Emergency Management Team, and associated ESDA units, St. Christopher Council 5866, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Orland Park American Legion Post 111, Oak Forest Veteran's Commission, St. Damian's Men's Club. Rolling Thunder, American Legion, and Patriotic Guard Motorcycle Organizations. Joe was very proud of the multitude of friends he accumulated throughout his lifetime. Particularly, the Orland Park American Legion Post 111, Oak Forest Emergency Management, and his "Old Geezers" friends at McDonalds. Hope to see you all in heaven!