Joseph Leon Petroski, Jr.

Joseph Leon Petroski, Jr., age 85, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 12:20 A.M. on Monday, January 10, 2022, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois. He was born on October 9, 1936, in East Saint Louis, Illinois, the son of Joseph Leon and Agnes (Orevec) Petroski.  He married Lois Sanders in June of 1955, at Saint Barbara Catholic Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, and they later divorced.Mr. Petroski is survived by his loving family, stepdaughter, Betty Langhauser and husband Mike of Salem, Illinois; son, Joseph L. Petroski III of El Paso, Texas; daughter, Denise Thompson and husband James Steven of El Paso, Texas; five grandchildren, including beloved granddaughter, Holly Williams and husband Eric of Salem, Illinois; five great-grandchildren, including loving great-granddaughters, Trinity Rollinson and Khaeler Williams; brothers, Kenneth Petroski and wife Rose of Caseyville, Illinois, and James Petroski and wife Adele of Collinsville, Illinois, sisters, Patricia Berning of Valmeyer, Illinois, Mary Seitz and husband Joseph of Saint Louis, Missouri, and Shirley Hughes of Ferguson, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Petroski was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Petroski, Sr., and Agnes Petroski; and special friend, Cathy Miller.

Mr. Petroski was of the Catholic Faith, and attended Saint Mary Catholic Church in Centralia, Illinois.  He loved antiquing and purchasing treasures and sell them at his yard sales.  One of his purchased hidden treasures was an old motorcycle, that he found Elvis Presley’s autograph under its seat.  Mr. Petroski was a collector of Disney and Popeye figurines. He enjoyed listening to old music and tending to his scratch-off lottery tickets.  He was an avid Saint Louis Cardinals fan.

Mr. Petroski retired as owner of Joe and Evelyn’s Bait Shop in Clinton County, Illinois, after 15 years of service to the fishing community.  He previously drove for Pennsylvania Truck Lines, South Central Transit, and Lincoln Auto.  Earlier in life, he was a butcher in the meat packing department at Swift Packing.  Mr. Petroski lived in Centralia, Illinois, for 40 years and formerly lived in Fairmont City, Illinois.

Funeral Services for Mr. Joseph Leon Petroski, Jr. will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois, with Father Steven M. Pautler officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  Friends are invited to visit with Mr. Petroski’s family from 11:00 A.M. until the time of his services at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home.  The family asks those who are attending to please be mindful of social distancing, wear a mask, and take any health precautions necessary to ensure a healthy environment.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Petroski’s honor to Saint Mary Catholic School in Centralia, Illinois, and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Mr. Petroski’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.

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