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Submitted: 10/24/19 • Approved: 10/27/19 • Last Updated: 10/30/19 • R187652-G0-S3
US Navy
World War II
February 28, 1927 - September 30, 2016
*Prayer Mausoleum
*Obituary
Joseph Constantin Ciontea, 89, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2016, at his home in Southaven, MS. He was born Chicago, IL on February 28, 1927, son of the late Constantin and Helen Peter Ciontea. Joseph grew up in Chicago and graduated from Steinmetz H.S. (Chicago) in 1944. He served in the United States Navy stationed on the USS Roi air craft carrier sailing the waters of the South Pacific during WWII. During his time with the Navy, Joseph played in the Navy Band at Great Lakes Naval Station, aboard the carrier, and directed the band on the Hawaiian Islands until he was honorably discharged. After serving his country, Joseph pursued a degree in Music Education at DePaul University, graduating in 1950 with a major in instrumental music and a minor in vocal music. He obtained a Master's Degree in Music Education from the Vandercook College of Music in 1953. Joseph shared his gift and love of music with many elementary, secondary, and college students in Huntley, Dwight and Elgin, IL over a 35-year teaching career. On August 3, 1953, Joseph married Mary J. Johnson of Huntley, IL. Mary preceded Joseph in death on November 8, 1999. Joseph was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, served as Exalted Ruler of the Elgin, IL lodge and as District Deputy. Joseph continued to share his love of music with the Elks organization by directing a 16-piece jazz band, The Jolly Corks. Together, the band played not only for the local lodge but also for the Elks National Convention, for veterans and sick children at various Midwest hospitals, for Naval recruits stationed at Great Lakes Training Center and many other charitable events. Joseph married Bette Jo, and together they shared 16 years, living in Sebring, FL, Hot Springs Village, AR and ultimately moved to Southaven, MS to be closer to family. Joseph is survived by his wife, Bette Jo of Southaven, MS; 5 sons- Joseph Jr (Jaye) of Fond du Lac, WI, John (Leila) of Roswell, GA, James (Laura) of Santa Barbara, CA, Jerrold of Mendota, IL, and Jay (Janey) of Sandwich, IL; two daughters, Jean Freese of Cartersville, GA and Julie (Howard) Fingard of McHenry, IL; nine grandchildren, Jeffrey (Alexia) and Nicholas Ciontea, Jennifer Fingard and Amy (Brandon) Burdick, Diana (Anthony Catalano) and Monica Ciontea, Joseph and Jaclyn Ciontea and Zachary Freese; two great-grandchildren Jackson and Evelyn Ciontea; his sister, Lilian (Robert) Seegers of Crystal Lake, IL; nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, Bette Jo's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 from 11am until the service begins at 12pm, all at Brantley Funeral Home, Olive Branch, MS. Entombment will follow at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd. Bartlett, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 North Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614 (www.enf.elks.org). Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.brantleyfuneral.com.
Published in the Elgin Courier News on Oct. 2, 2016
Contributed on 10/24/19 by ashaw444
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Record #: 187652
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