Uncle Joe

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

PEORIA - Joseph Shekleton, 88, of Arlington Heights, formerly of Peoria, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Arlington Heights.

Joseph Shekleton was born on Nov. 8, 1919, in Palmer, Iowa, to Francis Joseph and Marie (nee Nulty) Shekleton.

Joe received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from University of Illinois in Champaign in 1943. He then worked as a patent chemist at General Aniline in Pennsylvania, then at Goodyear in Akron, Ohio, and Lubrizol in Wickliffe, Ohio, for 20 years.

In 1964, he received his Law Degree from Case-Western Reserve Law School in Cleveland. He subsequently worked as a patent lawyer for Corn Products Corporation and Borg Warner in Chicago for the rest of his career. He retired in 1990.

He was a lifelong member of SPEBSQSA and enjoyed barbershop quartet singing. He also enjoyed tennis and was an avid golfer. Joe and Mary were members of St. Edna Catholic Church in Arlington Heights since 1969, where Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus Arlington Heights Chapter.

They loved to travel and spend time with their family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Schotthoefer), whom he married in Peoria on May 23, 1943; his children, Barbara (Paul) Hegele of St. Charles, Gerald (Maureen) Shekleton of Glen Ellyn, Michael (Bernadette) Shekleton of Peoria, Margaret (Richard) Waltman of Arlington Heights, Marty (Barbara) Shekleton of Mount Prospect, Tim (Jill) Shekleton of Hoffman Estates, Cathy (Robert) Hickey of Foxborough, Mass., Patrick Shekleton of Park Forest, Mary Jo (Kelly) Taira of River Forest; his 19 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Roth of Peoria.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Janet Frank; and his brother, Tom Shekleton.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, and from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at St. Edna Catholic Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Interment will be in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine.

In lieu of flowers, Masses are appreciated or memorial contributions may be given to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, 20 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604; or to the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Chicago, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631.

Funeral information and condolences may be made at www.GlueckertFH.com.