Joseph "Joe" Charles Stornello Jr

Joseph Charles Stornello Jr., 83 years old of Lindenhurst, IL, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, at Avantara in Libertyville, IL. 

Joseph, or Joe, was born February 11th, 1943, at St. Vincent Infant & Maternity, Chicago, IL, on a Thursday. He was the son of the late Joseph and Virginia (nee Wyttyk) Stornello. On November 21st, 1964, he married Anna Mae Zinna at St Edwards Church, Chicago, IL. They lived at 4433 N. Springfield in an apartment for 26 years. Working for G.M., his job took him to Oak Creek, Wisconsin before, in 1990, they moved to Lindenhurst, IL, where after 25 years he retired in 2003. 

In 1968, Joe joined the Haugan Fathers council, which was similar to the P.T.A. The group consisted of dads who worked days and could not attend P.T.A. monthly afternoon meetings. They raised funds for the school and also held art fairs, track meets, picnics, summer softball league and held an annual candy sale. After his first year, he was elected as the recording secretary and later became the president. When the council dissolved, he was still the acting president.

At the age of 7, he enrolled at the Neville Dance Studio. During these years, he performed many annual shows. 1955 he auditioned for the Tea Mack Original Amateur Hour, was accepted, and then the show went off the air. In 1958, Hoe performed at the Harvest Moon Festival at the old Chicago Stadium, where he performed high school jitterbug with his partner, Nicole Pierce, in front of 22,000 people. In 1961, Joe performed at the Arie Crown Theater, McCormick Place for the fifth annual Ciscarama show in front of a crown of 5,000 people. 

Joe and his sister, Marie, joined the group called The Stars of Tomorrow and performed at veteran's hospitals, retirement centers, picnics, and carnivals. Joe also was the first boy to join the Orchesis all girl dance club at East Leyden High School and was voted BEST DANCER along Edie Weisburgh. He also auditioned and was accepted for the show Guys and Dolls to be performed at STORYBROOK CITY, USA, on Route 20 near Addison, IL. Unfortunately, the show never opened because the park closed. 

Later in his life, Joe was an avid train buff who made a concentrated effort to bring a smile to the face of every person he met. 

Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Anna (nee Zinna) Stornello, his two children Cynthia (LeRoy) Otterson and Joseph III (Karen) Stornello, his six grandchildren Gene (Angelia) Otterson, Leroy II Otterson, Christine (Carl) Muntanion, Gianna Stornello, Katlyn Otterson, and Allison Stornello, three great grandchildren, Drandon Muntanion, Kaleigh Otterson, and Claire Otterson. He is also survived by his sister Marie (Ogden) Fitzgerald and his sister-in-law Mary (Ronald) Zear, and many nieces and nephews. 

Joseph is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Sr. and Virginia Stornello, and his brother William Stornello Sr.

Joe's visitation and funeral service will take place on Thursday, June 25th, 2026, from 12:30-4:00 PM and will be held at Warren Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1475 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL, 60031. Joe also requested that donations are made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.