Josef "Joe" Wendel Jr.

Josef “Joe” Wendel Jr. of Joliet, IL age 64, passed away in the comfort of his own home, while surrounded by the love of his family on January 28, 2026, after a devastatingly brief but hard-fought battle with a glioblastoma. He was born the son of Josef Wendel Sr. and Helen Wendel (née Tewich) in Chicago, IL on December 29, 1961.

Joe graduated from Joliet West High School in the Class of 1980 and went on to graduate from Illinois State University in ’84. He had a lifelong passion for the sport of soccer and dedicated himself to the sport, as both a player and a coach, throughout his life. He was a proud Union Laborer and he especially loved to work the “Dollars Against Diabetes” event every Father’s Day weekend with his buddies from Local #75. He was also an avid sports fan, always rooting on the Bears, Cubs, and Chicago Fire teams. Joe recognized the value in things both old and new. He loved to seek out a “Good Deal” while out thrifting and antiquing with his “Gals”, and he was so incredibly capable with his hands. He would tackle one project at a time with patience and vision to continue to make improvements on our home while honoring its traditional qualities. Joe was gifted with being generally handy around the home, and he would drop everything to go help a friend in need regardless of time or distance. Undoubtedly, there was one thing that Joe loved above all other things, and that was spending time with his family. He knew that everything else was secondary to the beautiful love that they shared with each other.

He was preceded in death by his parents Josef Sr. and Helen, and his grandson Nathaniel Dixon.

Josef is survived by his loving wife Sarah Wendel (née Petrek); his beloved daughters Alexandra, Ava, and Alana Wendel; his grandsons Shawn Wendel and Elijah Jones; his sister Lisa (Kevin) Smith; his “favorite” mother-in-law Suzanne Petrek and his father-in-law Ralph (Susan) Petrek; his sisters-in-law Amy (Brandon) Petrek-Gerber and Rebecca (Josh) Vaughn-Harris; his brother-in-law Matt (Katie) Petrek; his niece Jessica (Drew) Zitzke with their sons Beckett and Reid; his nephew Kit Gerber; and his niece Joise Vaughn.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that those who wish to make a monetary donation in Josef’s honor, direct those donations to the family to help assist his daughters with the repayment of their educational expenses.

In line with Josef’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm with a Chapel Service scheduled at 4:30 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, IL 60435. Josef’s mortal remains will be held in the protective custody of his loving family until inurnment is scheduled at a later date.