Joseph Oswald

Joseph Oswald, 93, of Hopedale, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Arc of Normal.

He was born July 12, 1932 in Beaver Crossing, NE to Peter J. and Mary E. Schweitzer Oswald.  He married Virginia I. Unsicker on October 12, 1952, and she survives.

Also surviving are his children, Cynthia (Delmar) Litwiller of Hopedale, Kathleen (Keith) Kauffmann of Oxnard, California, Karen (John) Blair of Englewood, Florida, Marcia Schopp (David Hicks) of Bloomington and Stephen (Mystee) Oswald of Clinton;  Grandchildren, Lisa (Michael) Dare, Krista Kauffmann (Martin Battle), Ryan (Jackie) Litwiller, Jeff (Leigh Trout) Kauffmann, Jason (Angela) Litwiller, Joshua Blair (Sandra Moreno), Collin (McKenna Nagle) Schopp, Allison (Drew Davis) Mitchell, Ethan Schopp, Michael Oswald; Great-grandchildren,  Owen and Kaylie Dare, Andrew, Chase, Waylon (Brooke), Joseph, Elijah, Sophia and Isaiah Litwiller, Lily Kauffmann-Trout, Franklin Mitchell and Mateo Blair; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters, Ethel, Gertrude, Irma, Ruth, Lois, Arlene, Bonnie; three brothers, Donald, Herbert, Kenneth; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe served in the United States Air Force from January 1951 to January 1955 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He worked at Caterpillar Inc. as Sr. Design Engineer for 35 years.

He was a member of Living Hope Community Church in Hopedale, where his funeral will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, July 29, 2026.  Pastor Roger Springer will officiate.  Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:45 am before the funeral at the church.  Burial will be in Mennonite Cemetery in Hopedale.

Memorials may be made to Living Hope Community Church, Hopedale, IL or Traditions Health Hospice, 7800 N Sommer St, Suite 410, Peoria, IL 61615

Joe’s family would like to thank all the staff at the Arc of Normal and Traditions Health Hospice for their care while Dad was a resident of their facility and under their care.

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