Joseph Pregel

A memorial service celebrating the life of Joseph Pregel will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2013 at HarperTalasek Funeral Home in Temple with Pastor Randy Phillips and Pastor Sam Spano officiating. Mr. Pregel died October 31, 2013.

Joseph Pregel was born on January 30, 1919 in Dunkirk, Kansas. He was the fifth child born to Andrew and Mary, Yugoslavian immigrants. When he was five years old, his parents moved their family to a suburb near Detroit, Michigan.

Joe grew up working hard and playing baseball, his favorite sport. After graduating from high school, he met the love of his life, Bernice Jones, on a blind date. They were married on September 20, 1941. Two months later, he was drafted into the Army Air Corp. They were training him to be a pilot when the war ended. Bernice was able to join him while he was stationed in several states.

After being discharged, they moved back to their old stomping grounds. Shortly afterward, their daughter, Janice, was born. It was then that Joe dediced to pursue selling insurance for a living. He had a successful career with State Farm for 37 years.

Upon his retirement in 1981, he and Bernice moved to Denver, Colorado. His life became full of family, working in his yard, and golfing. In fact, in 1998, he hit a holeinone He played golf until he was 93 years old.

But more than anything else special or blessed in his life, on September 30, 2013, Joseph Pregel gave his heart to Jesus, and confessed Him as Lord and Savior He has gone to his eternal home in heaven because of Gods great mercy and grace.

Joe was preceeded in death by his lovely wife Bernice, and his beautiful granddaughter Sarah Spano Weston.

He is survived by his daughter, Jan, and her husband Salvatore Spano. He is also survived by grandchildren: Amy, and her husband Greg Sam Spano and his wife, Deya and Angela, and her husband Timothy. He is also survived by seven greatgrandchildren: Matthew, Nathan and Daniel Rognlie Megan and Marissa Spano and Gabrielle and Gavin Phillips.