Joseph W. DiMeo, 86

Joseph W. DiMeo, 86, passed away March 19, 2011. 

He was born Feb. 28, 1925, in Philadelphia. Joseph was one of 13 children born of Lombardo DiMeo and Louisa (Tursi) DiMeo.

 Joe was raised in Philadelphia, where at an early age he started working in his uncle's junkyard, where he earned the nickname “Hammer and Chisel Joe.”

In 1942, he worked in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served on the USS Dortch in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

After he was honorably discharged in 1945 he decided to go to California, but on the way there he stopped in Montana to visit a friend. While he was here he met his life partner, Kathryn Bonderenko. They married in 1948 and they raised three children, Sandra, Dick and James.

In the early years Joe worked various construction jobs, including Hungry Horse Dam until the dam was completed. He then became a custodian at Flathead High School until he was offered a job at the U.S. Post Office as a fireman-laborer.

After his retirement in 1985, he became very active in VFW 2252 and MOC PT6 where he held life memberships, and he was a member of the FOE Aerie No. 234 for 65 years.

 He enjoyed gardening, fishing and spending time with his grandsons. His later years were spent at the Montana State Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents; eight siblings; his wife, Kathryn June DiMeo; and son, Richard "Dick" DiMeo.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Worley and her husband, Bill, her children, Jennifer (Chapman) and husband Adam Graham, and Stuart Chapman. Joseph is also survived by his son, James DiMeo, and wife, Carmen (Montilla) DiMeo, their sons, Roger DiMeo and his wife Diana, Joseph DiMeo and his wife April, and Kyle DiMeo. Joseph has nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Funeral services for Joseph will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Interment will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. Visitation will be held from noon to 6 p.m. today, March 24, at the funeral home.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Joe's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Joe's tribute wall.