Joseph "Nunzio" Fontana

Joe Fontana, 89, of Freeport passed away on Wednesday February 23, with family at his side, at his residence at Parkview Home. Joe was born June 20, 1921, in Freeport. The son of Vito and Antonina (Pizzolato) Fontana. Joe attended St. Mary'™s Catholic school and graduated from Freeport High School. From the early age of 10, Joe enjoyed entertaining others with his fabulous talents on the accordion serving as entertainment at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, at private parties and the WLS radio farm show. After high school graduation, Joe joined the United States Army where he served from December 1942 until November 1945. In the U.S, Signal Corp., specializing in Morse code, serving in Italy, France, and Germany. Upon his return to the United States, Joe began working at Beta Shoe Company, which is where he met his future wife Marilyn Meyer. Joe and Marilyn were married September 19, 1948. Together they raised four children, Paula, Cynthia, Brent, and Gary. Joe worked as manager of Beta Show from 1948-1954. With a love of downtown Freeport in his heart, he then moved on to manage the Frank Jewelers store from 1955-1986.After his retirement in 1986, Joe loved having coffee with his downtown buddies and enjoyed working part time for his son and daughter in law, Gary and Deb, at Frank Jewelers. He loved attending activities with his grandchildren. Joe was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed many bus trips with his friends to attend games. Also, being a Bears fan, he enjoyed watching the games and discussing all the latest plays with his grandson Blake. Joe especially loved spending time with his family and friends. He loved being with people, and everyone he knew certainly enjoyed spending time with him. Joe was very strong in his Catholic faith and was a member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, also the Sacred Heart Society, VFW, and Germania Club. Joe is survived by his wife Marilyn, daughters Paula (John) Spoonmore of Brownsburg, Indiana, Cynthia (Donald) McIlnay of Moorseville, North Carolina, sons Brent (Denise) Fontana of Cedarville and Gary (Debra) Fontana of Freeport. Six Grandchildren, Brad Spoonmore of Carmel, Indiana, Eric (Lindsey) Spoonmore of Bloomington, Indiana, Jennifer McIlnay of Ede, Netherlands, Katilyn Fontana of Cedarville, and Alexa and Blake Fontana of Freeport. One step grandchild, Alisha Ditsworth of Cedarville, and one great grandchild, Drew Spoonmore, of Carmel, Indiana. Joe is also survived by his sister Angeline Homan, and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Anthony and Phillip. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00-4:00 P.M. with scripture reading at 12:30 in Burke Tubbs Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday at 10:30 A.M. with visitation from 9:30 A.M. until time of service at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Memorials have been established in Joe'™s name for Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, FHN Hospice, and Parkview Home. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign the online guestbook.