Joseph €Œjoe” Palian

Joseph "Joe" Palian, 82, of Bluffton, S.C., and formerly of Naperville, Ill., passed away on Oct. 15 with family at his side after a long battle with cardiovascular disease. Born in Johnstown, Pa., on May 14, 1933, Joe was the son of Paul and Anna Palian. A graduate of St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa., he was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean conflict. A true "people person," Joe held several positions with different companies during his 40 year sales career before retiring in 1997. While a Naperville resident, he was a member of the Naperville North boosters and also served as commissioner of the Naperville Youth Football League for several years. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Croatian Fraternal Union. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Pauline Palian. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Judith Palian; sister, Mary Craver; and Rudy Mesnak in addition to three children--Paul, of Glenview, Ill.; Suzie (Dave Gerber), of Chana, Ill.; and Joe (Tracy) of Aurora, Ohio--and many relations in Zagreb, Croatia. He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Kylie, Cole, Brooke, Taylor, Forrest, David and Van. A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1200 Brookdale Rd., Naperville, with visitation at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy, www.nicaricoliteracyfund.org. A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1200 Brookdale Rd., Naperville, with visitation at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. funeral mass.