Joseph Monti

Joseph Louis Monti, 89, of Hot Springs Village died on Monday January 28, 2013 while at home. Joseph was born October 23, 1923 to the late Biagio and Natalina Monti in Standard City, Il. Joseph attended school in Carlinville where he participated in track and field, and football, winning numerous awards and medals. He was President of his high school graduating class in 1941. After high school graduation he received a full scholarship for football and attended Tulane in New Orleans. In 1943 he served in the US Army as a corporal and was honorably discharged in 1946. Joseph was a member of the Moose Lodge, Stock Club, and Garden Club in Villa Park, IL. In Hot Springs Village, he was a member of the HSV Woodworking Club and Kiwanis Foundation of HSV serving as President for the Kiwanis for one term. He did extensive volunteer work for many different clubs and associations, including Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking and used his master woodworking skills to help craft many Christmas toys for children, and also designed many of the wood items made. Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Norma Blanche (Pelligrini) Monti of twenty-one years, one daughter: Christine Monti; three brothers: Frank, James and Blasé Monti. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years Alba (Zanazzo) Monti, three daughters: Sandra Zemla of San Antonio, TX, Sue Zagorski and husband Mike of Orlando, FL and Cheryl Robinson and husband Dennis Horwat of Jacksonville, FL; three grandchildren: Dr. Amie Yanover and husband Steve, Kurt Zemla and wife Francesca and Nicole Lovelady and husband Christopher; and five great-grandchildren: Madeline, Lilah and Eli Yanover, Matteo Zemla and Christen Lovelady. Joseph was a kind, caring, and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many in the Village and will always be in our hearts. A Mass of the Resurrection will be on Saturday February 02, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with Father Bill Elser officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:30 – 11:00AM with burial following Mass at CedarVale Cemetery with Military Honors. Honorary Pallbearers are Lou Costello, Gene Farnsworth, Dick Geppert, Ken Lagemon, Bill Petrossi and Ed Pilarski. In lieu of flowers, the family request all memorials be made to Lester Dierksen Memorial Hospice, Kiwanis Foundation of HSV, Meals on Wheels or the American Cancer Society.

Joseph Monti

October 23, 1923 - January 28, 2013