Joseph “Joe” Guldan, devoted husband and loving father, died on August 28, 2004 at the age of 85. He passed peacefully at home in Wildwood, surrounded by family and graciously assisted by Hospice Partners. Joe was born in Vienna, Austria on December 8, 1918, and came to America with his parents. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on October 15, 1941. Joe was stationed in Hawaii, Midway, and Iwo Jima as a Technical Sergeant and Flight Chief with the Bushmaster 78th Squadron, 15th Fighter Group. After serving his country, Joe married his soul mate, Dorothy. Last December they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. Joe worked at National Tea Company for 32 years. He then returned to school, received his GED, and earned his real estate license. Joe became one of the top sales agents in Lake County for Poe & Poe and Murrie-Behm & Associates until his retirement in 1988. Joe’s greatest joys in life were his family, golf, and bowling. He received three gold medals for bowling in the 1994 and 2001 Senior Olympics. Joe leaves behind his beloved wife Dorothy, nee Neff Guldan, his children; daughter, Dottie (Tom) Marek, sons John (Karolyn) Guldan and Doug (Kristy) Guldan; 10 grandchildren, Scott, Curt, and Justin Marek, Nick Pope, Karly Guldan, Brad, Matt, Joey, Brittany, and Kayla Guldan; two great-grandsons, Michael Lee and Michael H.; sister, Vickie (Stan) Sumowski; sister-in-law Angie; brother-in-law Harry (Irma) Neff, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. His parents Franz and Hermine, nee Scharzer Guldan, Aunt Ottilie, brother Frank, and nephew Frank Sr. precede him in death. Friends of the family may visit on Monday, August 30, 2004 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Strang Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2004 at St. Gilbert Catholic Church, 301 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment with military honors will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Gilbert Church’s ‘Vision for the Future II.’ For information, call (847) 223-8122.
