Joseph J. Ambrose, 90, of LeRoy, Illinois, passed away at his home at 11:25 A.M. on Monday, October 2, 2017.

 

His funeral service will be held at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at the Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, LeRoy, Illinois. Inurnment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, LeRoy, Illinois with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Monday, October 9, 2017 at the funeral home.

 

He was born April 29, 1927 in Champaign, Illinois, the son of James and Pearl (Judy) Ambrose. He married Charlotte Mittendorf on August 18, 1948 at Holy Cross Church, Champaign, Illinois. He is survived by his loving wife and five children: Julie Ambrose, St. Charles; Mary Ambrose, New York, NY; Joseph (Julianne) Ambrose, Mahomet; James (Kathryn) Ambrose, Springfield; and Margaret Ambrose, Peoria. He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory R. Ambrose. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

 

Joe enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and was a World War II veteran serving in the Pacific.

 

Joe graduated from University High School, Urbana, Illinois and received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois in 1949, and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University.

 

He worked for the FDIC as a federal bank examiner until joining the LeRoy State Bank in 1967 where he served as President and later Chairman of the Board, retiring in 1995.

 

Joe was active in many organizations in LeRoy, including the Crumbaugh Library Board, the LeRoy Boy Scouts, the LeRoy Kiwanis, the LeRoy Chamber of Commerce, and the Red Cross. He was a member and past president of the LeRoy Country Club. He was also a member of the University of Illinois President’s Council, the St. Mary’s Church of Downs and a life member of the Ruel Neal American Legion Post #79.

 

Joe enjoyed playing golf and spending time in Florida. He was an avid reader, particularly of books on American history. He especially enjoyed the company of his family and his friends.

 

Memorials may be made to the Ruel Neal American Legion Post #79 or to the LeRoy Emergency Ambulance Service.