Joel Jenkins

Joel W Jenkins,
Born April 20, 1938, "Joel", "Joe", or "Wayne" to some, was an American success story. His parents, Clarence and Ethel, came to Chicago from rural Indiana looking for steady work. They found jobs and settled into the west side of the city, raising their son Joel.
Joel would say he had a haand a ppy childhood, recalling favorite pet dogs and playing guitar and lap steel as a youngster. He bought vintage cars and raced motorcycles as a young adult, finishing high school and going on to attend Moody Bible Institute. Joel stayed in the Chicago area, and enjoyed the city's many jazz clubs and events it offered. He enjoyed drawing and got a job as a draftsmen, but after a couple stints at engineering firms, he took a job at Orchard field (O'hare) in 1958 working for American Airlines. He worked here until retirement in 1996. In 1971, he met Jean E. Bell, and two years later they married. They had two children, Jorie and Jim.

Over the years, while raising his family, Joel still found time for his passions. Motorcycle racing (only following the circuit, no more actual racing), seeking out live jazz (as well as enjoying his favorite records), a love for gardening and lawn maintenance, but also making an effort to give back to the community. Joel, along with his wife Jean, were found volunteering regularly at local churches, homeless shelters and food pantries, often doing the behind-the-scenes work to help others.

A modest man of many talents, he will be greatly missed. Joel passed on April 11, 2022.

A celebration of a life well lived and a gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday, April 16th, from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 333 South Roselle Rd. (1/2 mile South of Irving Park Rd.) Roselle, Il. Cremation will be private at the Countryside Crematory.