Joseph Rulo

Joseph L. "Joe" Rulo,  74, died at 8:36 a.m., Sunday, March 20, 2016 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Alton, after a sudden illness.He was born in Richwoods, Mo., on March 21, 1941, and was the son of Rolla P. & Blanche (DeClue) Rulo.  At the age of three, the family moved to Grafton, and Joe made that his hometown for life.He graduated in 1959 from Jersey Community High School, and served his country honorably with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving proudly as a member of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.  As a participant of "Charlie Company" and the "Big Red One',  Joe developed many life long friendships that he still treasured today.He had served as Past Commander of the Grafton American Legion Post 648, and was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1308 in Alton.Joe was employed with the Olin Corp. in East Alton, retiring in 2001 after 38 years of dedicated service.  Throughout his life, he had a love for hunting, fishing, time spent with friends and a little beer drinking.  His true love however, was always his family, and his love for his grandchildren was immeasurable.He married the former Brenda Jennings on May 5, 1973 in Alton, they recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary.Surviving are his wife, Brenda Rulo of Grafton; two daughters & sons in law, Shannon & Lou Miramontes of Little Elm, Tx., and Rachelle & Doug Maxheimer of Taylorville; two grandchildren, Keegan Rulo Maxheimer and Nora Kate Miramontes; his best pal, Biscuit; three sisters & brothers in law, Betty & Jerry Howard of East Alton, Charlene Carpenter of Alton and Sharon Lyons of Grafton;  five brothers & sisters in law, Rollen & Shirley Rulo, Ronald & Kathy Rulo, Richard & Cheryl Rulo, Terry & Ellen Rulo and Jerry & Paula Rulo all of Grafton; a sister in law, Dottie Rulo of Godfrey; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Emma Caroline Miramontes; a sister, Mary Catherine Rulo; and three brothers, Kenneth R., David M., and Roy Junior.Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grafton, with Father Patrick Gibbons officiating.Burial will be in Scenic Hill Cemetery in Grafton, with the Grafton American Legion Post 648 conducting military graveside rites.Memorials may be given to the Jersey County St. Vincent DePaul Society or to the Altar Society at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home