Only 18 when commissioned as an Army officer in 1945, Joseph E. Krieble commanded an infantry company in the Philippines during World War II and served until 1947, said his wife, Jean. Mr. Krieble, who was skilled at motivating others, was “forever cheering people up,” his wife said. An Algonquin resident who lived in Palatine about 40 years, Mr. Krieble died of complications after heart surgery on Friday, Feb. 20, in Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village. Born and raised on his family’s farm in Indiana, Mr. Krieble graduated from high school, joined the military and became a first lieutenant. After completing his service, he attended Indiana State University in Terre Haute and Indiana University in Bloomington, graduating with a degree in biology. Mr. Krieble spent much of his career working for UpJohn Co., now Pfizer Inc., starting as a sales representative and retiring in 1992 as national accounts director. His first wife, Nancy, died that year. Mr. Krieble married Jean the following year. A participant in a mentor program at Elmhurst College, Mr. Krieble taught an evening class in ethics, which his students referred to as “the real world class,” his wife said. He also helped run yearly clinics, screening children to see if they qualified for admission to Shriners Hospital in Chicago. In addition to his wife, survivors include sons Jeffrey and Scott; daughters Kristine Durocher and Dora; and four grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral Home, 330 W. Golf Rd., Schaumburg. Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 111 S. Hubbard St., Algonquin.
