RACINE – Joseph E. Sabol, 86, passed away quietly at his home on March 23, 2006. Sabol was born in Ellsworth, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1920, son of the late Frank and Anna (nee: Boldyzar) Sabol. Sabol was raised in Monessen, Pennsylvania, was graduated from Monessen High School, and proudly served in the US Army during WWII in campaigns in France, Italy, and the Philippines. Sabol moved to Racine in 1947 and met Stephanie Plichta at a dance at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. On May 15, 1948, they were married at Holy Name Polish National Church in Milwaukee. Sabol had an appreciation for nature and the environment, being a member of the National Wildlife Federation, the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and the World Future Society. During the 1960s, Sabol realized the potential of solar energy, researching the current technology and patents at the Racine Public Library and operating a small business to share that information with interested parties. Sabol was employed in the manufacturing industry in Racine, was a member of U.A.W. Local 180, and retired from J.I. Case Co. in 1979 as a member of the 20-Year Club. Sabol was known as “Apple Joe” to his co-workers, from his tending more than 60 apple and pear trees in his orchard. Sabol was a cancer survivor, being diagnosed with colon cancer in 1985, but eventually defeating the disease. Sabol was quite interested in the relationship between food and nutrition and diseases and was independent until the end, living at his home and sharing his unique sense of humor with visitors. Sabol is survived by his children, Janet E. Sabol of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Joseph E. Sabol, Jr., of Marquette, Michigan; sister Margaret Matiansky of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister-in-law, Regina Sobczak (nee: Plichta) of Cudahy, Wisconsin; cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Sabol was preceded by his wife, Stephanie; brother, John (Rose) Sabol; sister, Mildred Sabol; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stephen Sobczak, Theodore (Sophie) Plichta, and Matthew (Linda) Plichta. All are invited to visit with the family in the funeral home on Saturday, April 1, 2006 from 10 am. to 12 noon. A prayer service led by Rev. Catherine A. Neal officiating will follow. Committal services with full military honors will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Cemetery, 4775 S. 60th Street, Greenfield. The family will also hold a memorial service at a later date. Memorials to World Wildlife Fund, Racine Public Library, or Monessen, Pennsylvania Public Library have been suggested.
Sign the Guestbook