Joseph H. O’Connor, age 92, of Redwood Falls, formerly of Fairfield, IA and Brookfield, IL, passed away Monday, July 1, 2013 at Parkview Home in Belview.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.
Visitation begins at 12:00 noon on Wednesday at the church. Interment is in St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Redwood Senior Center, Box 114, Redwood Falls, MN 56283. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joseph O’Connor was born April 23, 1921 in Chicago, IL to Michael and Helen (Lanz) O’Connor. He graduated from Carl Schurz High School in Chicago in 1939. Joseph worked as an apprentice in a pattern marker shop before enlisting in the US Navy in 1942. He served in the South Pacific on a repair ship during WWII. After receiving his Honorable Discharge, he worked at Howard Foundry in Chicago as a foundry engineer. On October 21, 1950 Joseph was united in marriage to LaVerne Smith in Chicago Heights, IL. They made their home in Brookfield, IL where they raised their family. In September, 1972 they moved to Fairfield, IA. Joseph was assistant plant manager at Fairfield Aluminum Castings Company until he retired in 1986. In April, 2004 they moved to Redwood Falls. Joseph was a member of the Pattern Makers Union, Moose Lodge in Chicago, American Legion in Fairfield, and was Trustee at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fairfield. Joseph and LaVerne enjoyed wintering in the south. Joseph enjoyed woodworking, building and fixing things, and restoring antiques. He loved being with his children and grandchildren.
Joseph is survived by his children: Thomas (Derry) O’Connor of Des Moines, IA, Joan (Robert) Ackerman of Hayward, WI, and Maureen (Ken) Gano of Redwood Falls; grandchildren: Andrew (Chloe), Beth, and Margaret (Joey), Joey (fiancée Megan), Eileen, Linda (Nick), and David (Amy); great grandchildren: Tom, Lydia, and Caroline; sister Lucille Flood of South Bend, IN; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife LaVerne in 2004, and brothers Jim and Bernard.