Obituary of Orville Stoddard

Orville Thomas Stoddard Age 94, beloved father of Connie Gossar and grandfather of Eric Gossar passed away Friday, April 8, 2016 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet, IL. He now dwells in the house of Our Lord. Born in Mt. Olive, IL on October 18, 1921, the third son of David W. and Florence E. (nee Williams) Stoddard. Graduate of Mt. Olive Community High School. Enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in WWII aboard the USS Idaho in the America Area and Asiatic Pacific Area as a shipfitter 2/C. Honorably discharged December 17, 1945 with a good conduct medal. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Rose Lesko on September 21, 1946. She preceded him in death on June 3, 2010. He lived in Mt. Olive before moving to Joliet in 1959. Resided in Shorewood these past seven years, and of late, at The Timbers of Shorewood. Employed by Don L. Dise Builders, Peoples Furniture and retiring from Barretts Hardware. He was a member of Carpenter's Local 916, Labor's Local 338 and Mt. Olive VFW Post 5790. Also preceded in death by an infant son, Steven Thomas (1953); three brothers, Vernon, Robert (Ann) and Russell (Lucille) Stoddard. Along with his daughter of Shorewood and grandson of Manhattan, he is survived by his brother, Raymond (Dorothy) of Mt. Olive; sister-in-law, Genean Stoddard of Minooka; brother-in-law, William (Carol) Lesko of Belleville; and brother-in-law, Harry Lesko of Carlinville. Also survived by his "other daughter", Donna Fox of New Lenox; special friends, Bob and JoAnne Benedick of Joliet; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He cherished family, loved his country and enjoyed working among the beauty of God's flowers. The Stoddard family will always remember the kindness, care and compassion afforded Orville by the staff of Our Lady of Angels and Joliet Area Community Hospice. Visitation for Orville T. Stoddard will be held Monday, April 11, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet. Further services will be held at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive, IL on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. following visitation from 12:00 Noon until time of service. Burial with military honors in the Union Miner's Cemetery, Mt. Olive, IL. Donations to Trinity Services, 301 Veteran's Parkway, New Lenox, IL 60451 in his memory and for the benefit of his grandson, Eric would be appreciated. For more information: (815) 741-5500.