Joseph “Joe” Ortega, of Huntley, passed away peacefully on his 90th birthday August 10, 2025, surrounded by family.
He was born in Blue Island, Illinois on August 10, 1935 to Cirilo and Magdalena (Ruiz) Ortega. He married the love of his life, Diane Jordan, on September 8, 1962. She preceded him in death on May 14, 2017.
Joe was a veteran of the US Army. He worked for Illinois Bell beginning as a lineman, then a telephone technician for Ameritech, retiring after 35 years of service. Joe enjoyed playing many sports - softball, tennis, bocce ball, bowling, pickleball, and his favorite card game, Canasta. His loved ones knew him as a “Jack of all trades,” and admired his skills as a handyman, craftsman, and master puzzlemaker. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his children, Maria (the late Ed) Wasilik, Laura Ortega, Joe (Monica) Ortega, and Julie (Pete) Kralis; his brother, Michael Ortega; as well as fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, Joe was preceded in death by seven siblings: Delores Leon, Lucy Mendez, Peter Ortega, Sebastian Ortega, Raymond “Corky” Ortega, John Ortega, and Manuel Ortega, and son-in-law, Ed Wasilik.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 4-7pm, with prayers at 6:30pm, at DeFiore Funeral Home - 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 10am at St. Mary Catholic Church - 10307 Dundee-Huntley Rd, Huntley, Illinois.
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or on-line condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
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Julie, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I wanted to let you know I am thinking of you.