William Joseph Anderson

William Joseph ""Joe"" Anderson, Sr., 86, of Macomb, IL passed away at 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 in his home. Born on August 2, 1920 in Proctor, MN; the son of Fredrick and Mary Sophia (Schiesser) Anderson. Joe and his wife lived over 50 years in the Rockford area before relocating to Macomb in 1997. William married Kathleen M. OKeefe on April 18, 1942 in Superior, WI. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2001. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Albert, James and George. Raised in the woods of Douglas County on and later near the Brule River in northern Wisconsin. Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting and especially his work as a a guide on the river. Joe served in the U.S. Army. His lifes career as an electrician began in the Superior/Duluth area on many projects including the shipyards during WWII and the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Retired in 1983 after 30 years as an electrician at Twin Disc, Joe was a 63 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Joe was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. Joe enjoyed his summer cabin in Minocqua teaching both grand and great-grandchildren how to fish. He loved the Christmas season spending hours picking out and decorating his Christmas trees and collecting the Dickens Village houses. Most importantly, Joe was appreciated and will be missed for the way he lived his life; as a husband he was committed, loving, patient and devoted; as a son, brother, father and grandfather he was loving, kind and giving, a patient, accepting and positive teacher, and always appreciative and concerned about others; as a friend he was loyal, cheerful, accommodating and considerate. He was a gentle man who exuded warmth and lived with dignity and grace. Survivors include his daughter, Barbara (Wes) Hartjen of Macomb, IL; son, William J. Anderson, Jr. of Rockford; grandchildren, Erin (Bret) Smith and Melanie (Brian) Monroe of the Macomb area; Kerri (Joel) Alis, Tammy Wythe, and Marc Anderson of Rockford; great-grandchildren, Riley Smith, Duncan Smith, Samantha Monroe, Jaclyn Monroe; and many Anderson, OKeefe, Hinkel and Moselle nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Entombment in Calvary Mausoleum. Visitation to be held from 6 8 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2007 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the McDonough District Hospital Hospice Program, 525 E. Grant St., Macomb, IL 61455. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.