Joseph Erlinger
Smithton | Save
Joseph L. Erlinger, 84, of Smithton, IL, born Thursday, July 2, 1942, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Memorial Hospital West in Belleville, IL.
Joe worked as a chauffeur/maintenance for Holton Funeral Home, Kurrus Funeral Home, and Kassly Funeral Home. He was a member of Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene in Belleville IL He was a Teamsters Local 50 member and a United States Vietnam War Army Veteran, retiring as Spec 5 Specialist 5th Class.
Joe was a devoted and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose family meant everything to him. His presence is already greatly missed. He was the strongest man with the biggest heart who never met a stranger. And being on time was never his forte.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Wife: Carol L., nee Eiskant, Erlinger
- Parents: Anthony and Mamie, nee Adams, Erlinger
- Brothers:
- Carl Erlinger
- Earl Erlinger
- James Erlinger
- Anthony “Tony” Erlinger
- Roland Erlinger
- Stepfather: Louis Holcman
Surviving are his:
- Daughters:
- Michele “Shelly” (Jim) Beard of Kansas City, KS
- Lori (Mike) Schutzenhofer of Smithton, IL
- Grandchildren:
- Katlyn (Conner) Pardieck of Dupo, IL
- Anthony “AJ” (Destiny) Beard of Kansas City, KS
- Hannah Schutzenhofer of Kansas City, KS
- SrA Adam Schutzenhofer USAF
- Emma Schutzenhofer of Springfield, MO
- Great-Grandchildren:
- Blaiklee Grace Pardieck
- Beckett Scott Pardieck
- Brinlee Dawn Pardieck
- Ezekiel Lee Hagan
- Sabrina Renee Beard
- Bonus Granddaughter: Jessica Uptegrove
- Many dear nieces, nephews and cousins
- Dear church family and the Golden Years Family
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene of Belleville, IL or Greater St. Louis Honor Flight
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Kurrus Funeral Home, 1773 Frank Scott Parkway West in Belleville, Illinois.
Services: Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m, Friday, October 30, 2026 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Pastor Russ Brewer officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory- Belleville, IL.
Kurrus Funeral Home
