Joseph D. Rountree, 90, died on Thursday, February 2, 2012 in Fairview Heights, Illinois after a long illness.

He was born on November 27, 1921 in East St. Louis, Illinois to William Frank and Louise (Huschle) Rountree.

Joseph was preceded in death by his former wife, Patricia (Wesley) Rountree; his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Frank (Margaret) Rountree; nephews, Frank Rountree, Jr. and Kent Glatthaar; a niece, Marianne Watson as well as many other relatives and friends.

Surviving are a daughter, Gwendolyn (David) Pace of St. Louis, Missouri; two step-grandsons, Matthew and Jonathan; in-laws, Jack & Mildred Glatthaar, Arleen Rountree, Darrell Watson and Nancy Glatthaar; nieces, Trisha Glatthaar and Ellen (Jim) Parker; several great-nephews and great-nieces, their families and many dear friends too numerous to list.

Joseph graduated from the old Central Catholic High School in East St. Louis and the St. Louis Institute of Music. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aviation cadet until an accident while on leave cut short his military service. Joseph was a member of the East St. Louis Board of Education and served as its’ president from 1959 to 1964. He owned National Electronics Repair Service in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Joseph’s family would like to thank the nurses, chaplain, staff, and volunteers of Family Hospice for their wonderful care of him over the past several weeks.

There will be no visitation or services.  Per Joseph’s wishes, a private cremation will be done with services provided by St. Louis Cremation. A memorial celebration may be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Family Hospice (618-277-1800) and/or the Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter (314-432-3422).