FRIERDICH, Joseph Henry

East Valley Tribune, Tempe, Arizona ~ March 2007 Joseph Henry Frierdich, 89, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Belleville, IL, passed away March, 2007. Born in Columbia, IL, November 7, 1917 to Joseph A. Frierdich and Caroline (nee Vogt) Frierdich. Mr. Frierdich grew up in Ruma, IL. He served as a 1st Sergeant in World War II and the Korean Conflict. Mr. Frierdich was recipient of the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars. He was a business man in Belleville, IL, and served as 3rd ward Alderman and Superintendent of Public Works. He was and active member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, the Moose, VFW, Knights of Columbus, Southside Improvement Association, and the Holy Name Society. He retired to Mesa, AZ. He served ten years as treasurer of Help Services for Velda Rose and DreamLand Villa retirement community. He most recently resided at the Citadel retirement community with his beautiful wife Esther (nee Weirschem) Frierdich. They had celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary August 29th. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Erwin and Raymond Frierdich of Belleville. He is survived by his wife and children, Charlotte (Doug) Volkman of Mesa, AZ, Jo Ann (Lawrence) Lennaman, Wildwood, MO, and Gary Lee Freirdich,Waterloo, IL; eight grandchildren, Jennifer McCall, Shannon Devine, Sunny Freirdich, Tony Frierdich, Jacob Freirdich Lara Romeo, Stephanie Lennaman, Hallie Lennaman; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Sally Smith, Waterloo, IL; brother-in-law Elmer Poole, Belleville,IL; and numerous nephews. Visitation will be held at Melcher Funeral Home, 6625 E. Apache Trail, Tuesday March 6th, 4-8 p.m. Rosary service to be held at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1244 S. Power Rd., Mesa, AZ, at 10 a.m, Wednesday, March 7th. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery on Baseline Rd in Mesa, AZ. Sign the Guest Book at eastvalleytribune.com