Joseph W Straka's Obituary
Joseph W. Straka III, age 67, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 16, 2017, at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Illinois. He was born June 10, 1949, in Granite City, Illinois to Joseph W. Straka II and Leona (Harizal) Straka. He was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in 1971, and earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield. He married Heather Leigh “Sam” Johnson on July 11, 1970, and they were married 42 years.
Joe worked at St. Teresa High School at the beginning of his teaching career, then found a home at Richland Community College in 1987. He worked as an Adjunct Professor from 1987 – 1990, and then an Associate Professor of Speech and Drama, as well as the Director of Forensics from 1990 until his retirement in 2011. He was the only Illinois Director of Forensics to compete internationally in Madrid, Spain, Athens, Greece, London, England, and Lisbon, Portugal.
To say he enjoyed the theater is an understatement. He was actively involved with Theater 7, Monticello Theater Association, Springfield Theater Center, Richland College Richland Players, and Merely Players, both as an award winning actor and director.
Joe is preceded in death by his wife Heather “Sam” Straka, and his parents Joseph W. Straka II, and Leona (Harizal) Straka. He is survived by his daughter Martha “Mae” Appelhans; grandson Matthew Appelhans; sisters: Jeanette (the late Cliff) Hoedebecke, Jacqueline (the late Ed) Reinagel, Jeraldine (the late John) Cash; sister-in-law Barrie Johnson (Douglas) Dunbar; nephews Mark (Jan) Hoedebecke, Ken (Marjorie) Hoedebecke, Cliff Hoedebecke, Steve (Donna) Reinagel, John Reinagel; nieces: Nancy Hoedebecke (the late Jim) Gilmore, Moe Hoedebecke (Cory) Worthen, Jackie Reinagel (Larry) Coker, Elaina Reinagel (Ray) Shanahan, Melia Cash (Darrell) Gobble, Maiya Cash (Cody) Zentner, Heather Dunbar (William) Paschal, Jennifer Dunbar (Rob) Horvath; great-nephews: Eric Hoedebecke, Jeff (Beth) Hoedebecke, Cooper Zentner, Callan Zentner, Bodie Zentner; great-nieces: Kate Hoedebecke (Bernt) Greene, Jessica Gilmore (Jason) Schlechte, Kara Gilmore (Rob) Olsen, Melissa Worthen (Jeff) Seaman, Peyden Gobble, Tatem Gobble, Madeline Paschal, Alexandra Paschal, McKenna Horvath; great-great nephews: Isaiah Schlechte, Cliff Seaman, Theo Seaman; great-great nieces: Emma Schlechte, Francesca Olsen, Colette Olsen; aunt Delores (the late John) Harizal; cousins: Janet West (Jim) Nations, Judy Kukarola (Bill) Eaton, John Harizal, Matthew Harizal, Philip Harizal, special cousin Jim Mang; very special friends: Kathy Zientara, Julie Hicklin, Diana Morrow, Tom Morrow, Peter Churukian; and his 10 beloved cats.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Joe touched will be invited to a celebration of life gathering later in the spring.
The family of Joseph W. Straka III is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur, IL. Send condolences to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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