Wotchko

Joseph A. Wotchko, 81, of Collinsville, Ill., passed away at Autumn Meadows of Cahokia in Cahokia Heights, Ill., on Sunday, July 7, 2024. He was born Sunday, Aug. 9, 1942 in Livingston, Ill., the son of Sylvester Wotchko and Frances (nee Ocepek) Cirar Wotchko Polovich and they preceded him in death.

He married his wife Judy Wotchko of Collinsville and she survives.

Joseph was a proud U.S. Army Veteran who served during the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was a Private and commercial licensed Pilot. Joseph worked as a Boiler Operator for Mallinkrodt and he was a life member of V.F.W. Post 1241 located in Staunton, Ill.

He is survived by his step-children, Laverne Russell "Lee"(Eva) Bartony, Williamson, Ill., and Tahtia Lynette Pierce, Balsom Lake, Wis .; sister, Pauline Tusek, Oak Brook, Ill .; nieces, Vivian Tusek and Joann Petty; step-grandchildren, Joseph Lee Donald Bartony, Quentin Martin (Mariya) Bartony, Veronica Grace (Keefer) Bartony, Cyrus Scott Bartony, and Hugh Jasper Bartony; step-great-grandchildren, Adrianna Bartony, Scarlett Bartony, Draven Bartony, McLean Bartony, Winifred Bartony, Olin R. Bartony, Dorothy R. Bartony, and Maddie Bartony; numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Wotchko; sister, Frances Cirar Snyder; nephews, Ricky Wotchko, Leonard Wotchko, and Donald Tusek; niece, Carol Snyder; uncles, Mike Ocepek, Martin Ocepek, Joe "Coogan" Ocepek, Anton Ocepek, and Frank Ocepek; and step-great-granddaughter, Valerie Grace Bartony.

A Funeral procession will leave at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from Kurrus Funeral Home located in Belleville, Ill. and at 11 a.m., Graveside services with military honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, in St. Louis, Mo. Father Clyde Grogan will be officiating.

Memorials may be made to any animal shelter or to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at http://www.kurrusfh.com.