Joseph J. Krystopa, 90, baptized into the hope of Christ’s resurrection, Thursday August 27, 2026.
Beloved husband of 67 years to Rose (nee Banach). Dear father of Lynne (Mark) Whitney, Dennis (Debbie) Krystopa, Joan (Bryan) Hartwick, Ann (Eric) Smith. Loving Grandfather of 12, Shannon (Josh) Heffernan, Julie(George) Terlep, William (Meghan) Whitney, Angela (Zach) Suhre, Sara (Brian) Delp, Michael (Courtney) Krystopa, Jennifer (Jon) Sadowski, David Hartwick, Luke (Melanie) Hartwick, Leann (Jordan) Askins, Emily Smith, Megan (Justin) Smith and great-grandfather of 23. Dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.
This truly is a joyous tribute, as how many of us will celebrate 90 birthdays. St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers and our Dad was aptly named. Joe was the grandson of Polish immigrants and son of Joseph and Victoria Krystopa. Grew up in East St. Louis, an only child who lost his Dad at age 8. He worked at a small market stacking shelves and delivering groceries in a wagon earning enough to purchase a Cushman scooter, his first set of wheels.
Joe met Rose Banach at a polka dance and on May 9, 1959 she became his bride and polka partner for life, Yes, they danced the polka for the next 67 years! This loving union blossomed into 4 children, 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and a busy home in Granite City. My dad worked 40 hours each week at Hunter Packing Company and on Friday evenings headed to the Clark Station for his 8 hour shift. He also drove a paper route for the Metro East Journal while still managing to keep our cars shining, our lawn manicured, and found time to coach soccer even though he never played the sport himself.
He loved us from afar as he lived meagerly in Ark City, KS and Sioux Falls, SD to keep our family afloat after Hunter Packing closed. Our dad then drove long hours to come home for weekends not missing any big events in our lives. In his 50s he changed jobs, Joe dumped 60lbs bags of granulated sugar into a hopper at the TUMS plant in St. Louis. I still vividly remember at Dad’s retirement party in 2001 his boss describing how many bags of sugar Dad had handled in his 16 years of service at TUMS. His boss counted the pallet loads, how many pallets fit into a tractor trailer truck, and then how many tractor trailer trucks in a mile, and we think the amount was an incredible 11 miles of sugar. Our dad will be remembered for his amazing work ethic; He was a dedicated employee, and we are forever grateful for how hard he worked to provide for his family.
Dad never slowed down in retirement. He and Mom made many friends on the park district bus trips and enjoyed card games and dominos. Joe was an active member of the Knights of Columbus since 1953, a devoted member of St. Elizabeth Parish since 1962 where he ushered 8am Mass for decades. Dad taught us the importance of volunteering by his example. St. Elizabeth’s had a group of retired men called the “Wednesday Workers” who tackled maintenance jobs for the campus. Dennis teased Dad that the old St. E truck wouldn’t even start unless all three of the “MJB Crew” were in it: “Marvin Wedemeyer, Joe Krystopa, and Bob Kurilla”. These three tackled picnic set up and dismantling, sold Christmas trees, and willingly tended to anything the parish needed, with more than a few antics along the way. We think Marv and Bob met Dad at the pearly gates to re-unite the threesome.
Joe cut miles and miles of grass for the KC and St. Elizabeth. I would venture to say he rode or pushed a lawnmower from the east coast to the west coast of the USA without leaving Granite City. There is no count of the gallons of paint he spread over the years for KC, St. Elizabeth and for us. Dad showed up bright and early with paint brush in hand every time one of us moved including the grandkids. I remember having pains in my neck and shoulder after a full day of painting and then thought how my 80 year old dad must feel? He never complained as he loved helping us. His reward was a hug and pizza and boy could my dad eat! Around 80 years old, Joan sternly told my dad “I drove by St .E yesterday and I saw you up on a ladder painting.” Thinking nothing of his age, Dad’s response was “Why didn’t you honk?”
Dad faithfully worked Bingo for the KC and was very proud to stand honor guard in his 4th degree regalia. Dad was proud to show off his family at the KC Easter, Christmas parties and BBQ. I still laugh seeing my dad dressed as Santa’s elf – tights and all! Dad golfed most weeks until the weather changed, he then switched to bowling. For many of his birthdays our whole family enjoyed bowling together and we watched his pins fly. Many summers included a float trip or Table Rock Lake vacation with our big family, so many laughs and making many wonderful memories with 4 generations. We thank Dad for salvaging so much aluminum from the landfills, as he picked cans up while walking the park. We thank him for being so involved in the lives of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He and mom were often on the bleachers at games, in the pews for sacraments, and attended many school events. I smile when the great grandkids ask for ice cream and follow the request with “Well, Grandpa Joe eats it every day”.
He was often photographed with a great grandbaby in his arms or barbecuing a pork steak. In our big, loud family, Grandpa Joe was quietly helping and never looking for recognition. He always kept tabs on which car you were driving these days and how it was running.
This last year and a half would not have been how my dad would have wanted to end his earthly journey. He passed out so many times at Mass, I jokingly told him Fr. Alfred is going to request you change parishes, but the St. Elizabeth community rallied around dad with kind words making him smile, even in times of embarrassment. Our family is so very grateful for the love and attention you have shown. If you think you can live without a parish family – think again!
Lastly, we would like to thank Mom for taking such loving care of Dad. She encouraged him to continue pulling weeds even when he couldn’t tell a weed from a flower. Together they tended to the garden, marveling in God’s creation. When he grew agitated, they said the rosary and he calmed. Two rosaries per day, praying for all of us. Such a beautiful example of a faith filled marriage and a life well lived.
We love you Dad, be at peace in the loving arms of our heavenly Father.
Visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Irwin Chapel, Granite City, IL.
In celebration of his life, a funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Granite City, IL., with Father Andy Knopik and Father Alfred Tumwesigye officiating. Joe will be laid to rest at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Fairview Heights, IL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial Masses or donations to St. Elizabeth’s School Roof Project.
