Joseph Siegel Obituary

Siegel, Joseph Efraim Born July 5th 1926--Died September 15th, 2005. Joseph was Born in Chicago's West Side and graduated from Marshall High School. He later graduated as a Major in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. At the same time he was studying at the Yeshiva and training to become a Rabbi. He had a wonderful singing voice and from the age of fourteen performed cantorial duties for the Jewish High Holidays. After Graduation he moved to Keokuk, Iowa, doing morning radio as a disc-jockey. He also created perhaps the first soap opera using local talent in Keokuk and he created the first cooking and recipe show. In 1950 he became a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. he was soon to be known as the "pork belly king". In the 1950's and 60's his daily trading volume was sometimes 50% of the total exchange volume. His role as a liquidity provider in the trading pits of CME was instrumental in its steady growth over the last 50 years. He also served as a Governor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He Built his commodities futures brokerage company to 35 offices. He re-married in 1983 to Kay. They moved to Los Angeles in 1992. He is survived by his children, Lynn (Rick Scanlon) Siegel, Howard (Kate) Siegel, Jill (Jeff) Pargament, and four grandchildren; David, Daniel, Sam and Michelle. He was also a fund raiser for Israel Bonds and The Jewish United Fund. He brought the commodities business into these organizations. He had a stroke Tuesday, September 13th and died September 15 Thursday morning. Funeral services will be held at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles California on Sunday, September 18th, at noon. Shiva will be held at 6 p.m., Sunday and Monday at the family home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory to Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, Attn: Rabbi Wolpe. Kate and Howard invite friends and relatives to their home Wednesday, September 21st from 4 to 9 p.m. their address is 2430 North Lakeview, Chicago. Parking available.