Joseph F. Szabo

Age 92, of Munster, IN, formerly of Riverdale, IL, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2020. He is survived by his loving children, Jo Carol (Thomas, dec) Clark, Susan (Richard) Stables, Peggy Szabo, Joseph C. Szabo and Clark (Diana) Szabo; precious grandchildren, Carly Szabo, Megan Stables, Tori Szabo and Natalie Szabo. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Shirley Szabo; sisters, Margaret Barber and Rose Stapleton and his parents, Joseph and Theresia Szabo, who emigrated from Burgenland, Austria.  Joseph grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, where his father worked as a janitor, and graduated from Tilden Technical High School in June 1945.  He immediately entered service in the Army Air Corps that August, stationed at Westover Field Massachusetts.

Joseph was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed. He retired with 39 years of service as a switchman for the Illinois Central Railroad, where he served as secretary/treasurer and as chaplain for United Transportation Union Local 1299.  His drive to provide for his family often led him to hustle second jobs: he sold autos at Ford dealerships, owned gas stations, worked at the Chicago Board of Trade, worked at Republic Steel, and ran a small business installing TV antennas.  But it was the camaraderie of railroading he loved and he remained close with former coworkers in retirement, particularly through the Dolton Elks. Joseph was avid lover of his afternoon martini, Big Band music and dancing, and his Chicago sports.  He had a particular intense life-long passion for the Chicago Cubs and loved taking his family to Wrigley Field. As an uncle, he was very close with his nieces, nephews and their families, and loved large family gatherings where he shared love, wisdom, stories and his wonderful sense of humor.

In retirement he served as a volunteer tax preparer for AARP, a volunteer Village Inspector in Riverdale, IL, as member of the Chicago South Suburban Mass Transit District Board, and as chaplain for the Dolton Elks.  Active in community theater earlier in his life, he enjoyed singing in the chorus at the Hartsfield Village Retirement Community.  As he aged, severe Macular Degeneration never slowed his zest for life.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6:00 PM at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home , 14 Kennedy Avenue, Schererville, IN.  Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 2:00-7:00 PM  at the funeral home. Solanpruzinfuenralhome.com .  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of the Calumet Area or the Chicago Lighthouse.

The family is asking for everyone to wear face mask and please social distance when attending Tuesday Service. Thank you.