Joseph James Stern

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Joseph James Stern, age 89, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. in Pinckneyville Health Care Center, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Joseph was born on Feb. 25, 1920 in LaMorille, Ill. a son to Anton and Catherine (McManus) Stern. In 1945, he married Secondena Malano in Todds Mill, Ill. and she preceded him in death on Sept. 16, 2007. Joseph was a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church. He worked for Keene Road Builders for 15 years and was a member of the Southern Illinois Labor Union for 64 years.

Joseph is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, James and Diana Stern of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two grandsons, Father Ben Stern of Breese, Ill. and Tyler Stern of Pinckneyville, Ill. and several dear nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Paul Stern and sister, Elizabeth Kellerman.

Funeral Mass was held at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. with Father Ben Stern officiating. Interment was in St. Bruno Catholic Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery Fund

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.