Joseph G. Courey

Joseph G. Courey Sr., 85, of Sioux City died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at a Sioux City hospital as a result of injuries from an auto accident on Nov. 26, 2006.

Services will be 10:45 a.m. Monday at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home Chapel, with the Rev. Denis Meinen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Michael Erpelding officiating, at Anderson-Perasso Funeral Home. Visitation will resume 9:30 a.m. until service time Monday at Holy Spirit.

Joseph, the son of Ferris "Frank" and Rose (Thomas) Courey, was born April 11, 1921, in Sioux City. He attended Sioux City schools and was a lifelong resident of Sioux City. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II from 1942 to 1945.

He married Anna Marie Petrella on July 17, 1942, in Brooklyn, N.Y., at St. John the Evangelist Church. Joseph worked in the construction industry and at Sioux City Battery Co. before joining the U.S. Post Office. He worked at the downtown post office as a mail handler for 30 years until he retired in 1985.

He was a former member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a current member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Marie Courey of Sioux City; a daughter, Rose Marie Courey of Banner, Ill.; a son, Joseph G. Courey Jr. of Sioux City; a sister, Mary Jean Jettner of Niles, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, George; four sisters, Amelia, Adele, Jenny and Sue; a granddaughter, Bertha; a grandson, Eric; and a great-granddaughter, Patricia.

Pallbearers will be Tony Courey, Dustin Courey, Daniel Leffler, Nick Schultzen, Terry Hoyt and Shane Gordon. Honorary pallbearer will be Joseph G. Courey Jr.