Joseph Molloy
Jerseyville |
Joseph J. Molloy, 89, died at 11:55 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2009 at his residence after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Chicago on Sept. 3, 1920, the seventh child born to the late Jeremiah J. and Mary (Sullivan) Molloy. At the age of 2 years, he moved to Jerseyville and completed grades 1-8 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and graduated in 1938 from Jersey Township High School. He remained active and loyal to Panther sports, participating in the "chain gang" for many years for Panther Football, a member of the Panther Athletic Club, and serving as a "Spirit" for the JCHS Homecoming. Joe was a true American, and proudly served his county with the U.S. Marine Corp.
He served in the South Pacific during World War II with Company A, 6 Tank Batallion, 6th Marine Division from June 1943-Oct. 1945, and served with in the Reserves from 1945-1951. He was called back for active duty during the Korean War in 1950, and was discharged as a Sgt in 1951. He married the former Delores V. Zimmer on Feb. 19, 1949 at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, Together they were the blessed parents of 16 children, and just recently celebrated their 60 th anniversary with a party and open house in their honor in February of this year. Joe was employed as an electrician working at the Shell Oil Refinery in Wood River, and then at Illinois Power Company in East Alton, retiring in 1985. He was a loyal and active member of many organizations, including St. Francis Xavier Church where he served as a lector and server, Jerseyville Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, a 60 year member of the IBEW Local 649, Marine Corps League-Robert Windle Detachment #1031, American Legion Post 492, of which he was a member of the Color Guar for many years, VFW Post 4528, and the Jerseyville Amvets.
He is survived by his wife, Delores of Jerseyville; fourteen children and their spouses, Tom & Joy Molloy of Jerseyville, Mary (Kathleen) and her companion, Nick Zankl of Godfrey, Margaret (Peggy) and Phil Begole of Pana, Mike & Debbie Molloy of Braidwood, Pat & Greg Harris of Wood River, David Molloy of Madison, Jim & Karen Molloy of Monticello, Maureen & Frank Stephens of Brighton, Tennessee, Teresa Molloy & her companion, Ted Burkman of Jerseyville, Janet & Randy Williams of Jerseyville, Barb & Keith Sawyer of Swansea, Daniel Molloy, and his companion, Kim White of Crystal City, Mo., Tim & Tatyana Molloy of Jerseyville, and Leo Molloy of Algarve, Portugal; 30 Grandchildren; 11 Great Grandchildren: two brothers, William Molloy, and his companion, Maggie Durward of Godfrey, Patrick & Patricia Molloy of Orland Park Il.,a daughter in law, Dee Molloy of Cottage Hills, Il.: and a multitude of extended family & close friends. He was preceded in death by two sons, Cpl. Joseph J. Molloy who killed in action in Vietnam in 1969 while serving with the United States Marine Corp. and John Patrick Molloy in 1999; two grandchildren, Heather Harris and Christopher Bogle; four sisters and five brothers.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where the Knights of Columbus with have a 4th Degree Chalice Presentation at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father Patrick Gibbons officiating. Burial will take place in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville, where the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 will conduct military graveside rites. Memorials may be given to Masses, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, American Legion Color Guard.
He served in the South Pacific during World War II with Company A, 6 Tank Batallion, 6th Marine Division from June 1943-Oct. 1945, and served with in the Reserves from 1945-1951. He was called back for active duty during the Korean War in 1950, and was discharged as a Sgt in 1951. He married the former Delores V. Zimmer on Feb. 19, 1949 at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, Together they were the blessed parents of 16 children, and just recently celebrated their 60 th anniversary with a party and open house in their honor in February of this year. Joe was employed as an electrician working at the Shell Oil Refinery in Wood River, and then at Illinois Power Company in East Alton, retiring in 1985. He was a loyal and active member of many organizations, including St. Francis Xavier Church where he served as a lector and server, Jerseyville Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, a 60 year member of the IBEW Local 649, Marine Corps League-Robert Windle Detachment #1031, American Legion Post 492, of which he was a member of the Color Guar for many years, VFW Post 4528, and the Jerseyville Amvets.
He is survived by his wife, Delores of Jerseyville; fourteen children and their spouses, Tom & Joy Molloy of Jerseyville, Mary (Kathleen) and her companion, Nick Zankl of Godfrey, Margaret (Peggy) and Phil Begole of Pana, Mike & Debbie Molloy of Braidwood, Pat & Greg Harris of Wood River, David Molloy of Madison, Jim & Karen Molloy of Monticello, Maureen & Frank Stephens of Brighton, Tennessee, Teresa Molloy & her companion, Ted Burkman of Jerseyville, Janet & Randy Williams of Jerseyville, Barb & Keith Sawyer of Swansea, Daniel Molloy, and his companion, Kim White of Crystal City, Mo., Tim & Tatyana Molloy of Jerseyville, and Leo Molloy of Algarve, Portugal; 30 Grandchildren; 11 Great Grandchildren: two brothers, William Molloy, and his companion, Maggie Durward of Godfrey, Patrick & Patricia Molloy of Orland Park Il.,a daughter in law, Dee Molloy of Cottage Hills, Il.: and a multitude of extended family & close friends. He was preceded in death by two sons, Cpl. Joseph J. Molloy who killed in action in Vietnam in 1969 while serving with the United States Marine Corp. and John Patrick Molloy in 1999; two grandchildren, Heather Harris and Christopher Bogle; four sisters and five brothers.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where the Knights of Columbus with have a 4th Degree Chalice Presentation at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father Patrick Gibbons officiating. Burial will take place in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville, where the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 will conduct military graveside rites. Memorials may be given to Masses, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, American Legion Color Guard.
Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home
Crawford Funeral Home
