Joseph R. Wiedemann of Arlington Heights, Ill.

Joseph R. Wiedemann, died peacefully Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Journeycare Hospice.

Joe was born June 18, 1928 in Chicago, IL, the son of Joseph M and Anna (Zittman) Wiedemann. He attended St. Philomena grade school, graduated from St Phillip High School and Loyola University Chicago. He was married to the late Ree McClure on December 26, 1950 until her death in 1996. He was lucky to find love again and married Jeannette Buffa on February 22, 1998.

He had a distinguished career in the insurance industry retiring as Vice President of American International Group (AIG) in New York City in 1993 and ending his career as Senior Vice President at Starr Excess Liability Insurance Company in Hamilton, Bermuda in 1996.

He was the loving father of Patricia Podziomek, Susan (Bob) Evans, Jane (Vince) Candela, Mary Darling, Joseph Jr. (Toni), Julie (Dave) Gotsch and Thomas (Jackie). He was loved by his 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Jean and sister Lorraine (Hank) Handler. He is preceded in death by his first wife Ree Wiedemann, his parents, brothers Donald (Nancy) and John (Chris).

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he was awarded two purple hearts and two bronze stars for valor. He was a community member at Luther Village in Arlington Heights. He loved spending time with his family most of all. He will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Special Olympics Glastonbury, C/O Lucie Carangelo, 65 Hawthorne Mead Dr., Glastonbury, CT 06033.

Funeral will be held on Saturday, June 3, 9:30 am from Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine to St. Thomas of Villanova Church for Mass at 10:00 am. Interment St. John Cemetery in Fox River Grove, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Info 847-359-8020 or visit Joseph’s memorial at smithcorcoran.com.