Joseph J. Choronzak, Jr., 67, of Rock Island, formerly of Melrose Park, passed away Friday, March 1, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island.  Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Wheelan Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7 ^th Ave., Rock Island.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island.  Memorials may be made to the St. Pius X Altar and Rosary Society.

Joseph was born February 12, 1952 in Chicago, the son of Joseph Sr. and Marcella (Sigmund) Choronzak.  He married Diana "Dea" Staley on September 25, 1976 in Des Plaines, IL.  Joe worked as a Sales Engineer with a primary focus on hydraulic filters.  He was forced to retire due to his health after 23 years of service.  Joe was a devout Catholic as a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.  He was also member of the Sacred Heart Society, The Loyal Order of Moose and AMVETS.  Joe enjoyed bowling, drag car racing, watching Dukes of Hazzard and lighthouses.  Joe loved spending time with his family as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Diana "Dea," daughter, Shaunnessy (Joseph) Shaw, Rock Island; grandsons, Owen Lee and Liam Daniel Shaw; sisters in law, Gloria Short and Lorna (Glenn) Cox; father in law, Loren Staley and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other loving extended family members and friends.

He was preceded by his parents, mother in law, Donna Staley and a brother in law, Dale Short