Maurice "Morry" B. Joseph

Maurice “Morry” B. Joseph, 85, of East Peoria, passed away peacefully at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, at UnityPoint Proctor Hospital in Peoria. Morry was born on July 6, 1937, to Mike and Betty (Tamer) Joseph at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria. Preceding him in death were both his parents, his older brother, Leonce Joseph, his younger brother, David Joseph and his youngest child, Robert Joseph. Morry married his loving wife, Norma A. Unes, on June 8, 1959. She survives him, together with their devoted children, Richard (Leanne) Joseph, Sandra (Jamil) Alwan, John (Renee) Joseph, Michael (Stephanie) Joseph, Kristin Joseph and Karen (Donald) Schwegel. Morry is also survived by 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Morry graduated from St. Joseph’s grade school, Spalding Institute and Bradley University. As an adult, Morry enjoyed an incredibly full life and was well-known for his business acumen and his tireless community service. He began his professional career as the owner and operator of Southtown Foods grocery store which opened in 1963 and closed in 1975. From there he embarked on his career in real estate and, informally, became known as East Peoria’s Realtor, selling and developing real estate while having principal partnership in three different real estate brokerage companies, including the Joseph Company, Prudential Cullinan – Maurice Joseph Realtor and Coldwell Banker Cullinan Devonshire – Maurice Joseph Realtor. During those years, he was active in the Peoria Area Association of Realtors and would hold successive terms as its chairperson. In 1982, the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce named Morry Businessperson of the Year and in 1992 the Peoria Area Association of Realtors elected him Realtor of the Year. As a devout Catholic, Morry was active in St. Monica’s Parish serving on its Parish Council, chairing the Parish Council and until recently, he served as a Parish Trustee. He was a founding member of St. Monica’s Monsignor E. L. Grzybowski Council of the Knights of Columbus. In the community, Morry was a committed member of the East Peoria Rotary, the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce and was a lifetime member of the Itoo Society, just to name a few of his associations. Morry was widely known as a founding and charter member of the East Peoria Centennial Committee and later was nominated for and selected to chair the East Peoria Festival of Lights – he would hold that position for the first 20 years of the event and earned the Illinois Citizenship Award during his tenure as the Festival Chair. In his personal life Morry enjoyed traveling, fishing and found time to taste and amass a collection of domestic and internationally brewed beers. In reflection of his recreational memories, Morry very often cited his world-wide travels with Norma and the life-long friends that resulted from those travels, his annual fishing vacations with his sons, grandsons and close friends, his inclusion in the RLJ Fishing Club and the blessings of being warmed by the love of those close to him whenever and wherever that would occur. When recently asked to identify his most cherished destination from all his travels, he identified Lake Okoboji, Iowa – the destination of annual family vacations Morry and Norma provided since 2005. Visitation will be Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church in East Peoria, with Recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father John Steffen and Father Donald Henderson at St. Monica Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023, with additional visitation from 10-11 a.m. Entombment will be at Resurrection Mausoleum followed by a mercy meal at the Itoo Hall. Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation Services in East Peoria is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Monica Catholic Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.

Maurice "Morry" B. Joseph

July 6, 1937 - January 23, 2023