Joseph P. Nosal

Joseph Paul Nosal, "Joe", of Kewanee IL, passed away peacefully in Monroe, WA, on April 3rd, 2023. Joe was 97 years old, born in Kewanee IL on December 18th,1925, to Paul and Mary (Skibinski) Nosal. A first generation American, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 72 years, Joan Kempin Nosal (January 2023), his loving parents, and dear siblings John Nosal and Mary (Nosal) Reicheneker, and their spouses.

As a young child, and throughout his teenage years, he could be found at Northeast Park with his many neighborhood friends, engaged in all sports, particularly, baseball, boxing, and marbles. He was a city-wide marbles champion, and his 1942 high school baseball team was inducted into the Kewanee High School Athletic Hall of Fame. A stellar baseball player, Joe tried out for the Chicago Cubs Farm League, but throughout his life he loved his St. Louis Cardinals. He was a huge fan of Notre Dame football, and an excellent golfer well into his 80's. Throughout his life, Joe was very fond and supportive of the beautiful parks in Kewanee and was honored to be a recipient of the Kewanee Park District's Child's Best Friend Award in 2016.

Shortly after graduating from KHS in 1944, Joe entered the United States Army during WWII, and served at a base in Camp Roberts, California. He then worked in manufacturing at the Walworth for a few years, and at Osco Drug Store, where he was offered a management position that would require a move. He turned it down so that he and Joan could stay in Kewanee, close to their very large extended family. An astute businessman, Joe went on to create his own State Farm Insurance agency by going door to door and by word-of-mouth. His very successful career with State Farm spanned 30 years. Initially, his office was in his home where he could help with the raising of his five young children: truly a man ahead of his time. When the kids were in high school, he occasionally picked them up for lunch at the house where he had made beef bourguignon. 

Joe was engaged to the love of his life, Joan Kempin Nosal, for three years, while she completed her training to be a registered nurse. True to his romantic nature, Joe sent a dozen red roses each month to Joan during their engagement. They were married on October 7th, 1950, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Kewanee, where they were active members (one year, Joe painted all of the classrooms at "St. Stan's" grade school at night) until St. Stanislaus was replaced by St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where they remained faithful active members. Joe and Joan were united in their faith, and nothing was more important to them. They were most recently members of St. John Paul II Parish in Kewanee, and St. John the Evangelist's Catholic Church in Galva, IL. Most of his life, Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus, earning his 4th degree in that organization. He was also an honorary life member of the Santa Maria Council 734.

Their marriage was blessed with five daughters: Catherine (Dick) Henderson, of Chapel Hill, NC, Patricia Nosal of Omaha, NE, Christine (Don) Doll of Columbia MO, Jane Nosal of Mukilteo, WA, and Mary Trushinsky of Arlington, WA. They were further blessed with 8 loving grandchildren: Matthew Naden, Jesse Rasser Thies (Dan), Eric (Chenoa) Henderson, Christopher (Stacey) Doll, Marie (Brian) Doll Hess, Brent Henderson, Daniel (Brooke) Trushinsky, and Clay (Sarah) Trushinsky. Eleven adorable great grandchildren/four step-great-grandchildren followed. He was also survived by a brother-in-law, Ron Kempin of Sandy, UT and sister-in-law, Karen (Doug) Krusa of Champaign, IL. Joe and Joan loved children, and welcomed all of their loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and all of their children into their lives.

Joe and Joan enjoyed 23 winters in Arizona, where Joe was fond of reminding his Midwestern family and friends that he was busily "shoveling sunshine". Family, friends, and even strangers were always welcome at the Nosal home in Arizona, as well as in Illinois. Their generous hospitality was a gift to everyone.

Joe was an avid gardener and handyman, who was in awe of nature. He was very well-read in literature, history, politics, and of course, sports. He had a great sense of humor and was particularly talented at entertaining his many grandchildren who loved to visit with him. He loved to travel and visit anyone, anywhere, anytime. He was generous, compassionate, and faithful throughout his life, and we will miss him dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 19 at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee. Celebrant will be Fr. Johndamaseni Zilimu. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Friday at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with recitation of the rosary at 10:15 a.m. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Visitation Catholic Grade School in Kewanee.

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