Joseph Phillip Wojtal, age 60, born July 23, 1964 in Biloxi, Miss., passed away September 19, 2024 at his home in O’Fallon, Ill.
Joe married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Wilke on May 17, 1986 at St. Nicholas Church. He attended Washington Univ., St. Louis earning his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. He served in the US Air Force as a Weather Officer from 1986-1991, while earning his M.S. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. He furthered his education with his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts Lowell. Joe had a long and illustrious career in leadership with Cisco Systems before his retirement in 2021. Most recently, he was the CTO for World Wide Technology, before his ultimate promotion to the best and most rewarding job of all: Papa.
Joe was respected for his willingness to put others first, and for his generosity to local charities, including St. Nicholas parish, St. Clare Catholic School, Habitat for Humanity, and Karla Smith Foundation, among others. As a young man, he was determined and worked hard to earn his Eagle Scout and was active in the Belleville Diocese’s Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). As an adult, he continued to serve his church and community as past president of St. Clare School Board and little league coach. He was an avid sports fan, especially City SC, the Blues, the Cardinals, and Notre Dame. Joe enjoyed scuba diving, KSHE Classic Rock, and was fortunate to have travelled the world, visiting all seven continents. Of all his accomplishments, his family loved him most for being a devoted husband, dad, and papa.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Carolyn Wilke-Wojtal; son Nicholas (Alyssa) Wojtal; daughter Alexandra Holder and her son Ezekiel; his father Donald P. Wojtal; brother Mark (Julie) Wojtal; mother-in-law Dorothy Wilke; sister-in-law Lisa (John) Wilke-Lee and family; brother-in-law Steve (Ruth) Wilke and family; and two grand-dogs Izzy and Buster.
He was preceded in death by his mother Janice K. Wojtal, and father-in-law Norman Wilke.
To offer condolences and view a photo tribute, please visit www.wfh-ofallon.com. In lieu of flowers and other gifts, memorial donations would be appreciated to either St. Nicholas Catholic Church, St. Clare Catholic School, or Karla Smith Behavioral Health.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 pm, Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O’Fallon, and after 10 am, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O’Fallon, with Rev. Nick Junker presiding, and Rev. Jim Deiters, as homilist. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.
Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, assisted the family.
