Joseph Edward Stefanko, Jr., 86, father, husband, brother and friend, of Stuart, Florida, left this world on October 24, 2014, to join his wife, Cecelia, in Heaven.

Joe was born on April 6, 1928 in Youngstown, Ohio. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy, during WW-II on the USS Bexar, a troop transport ship.

After marrying Cecelia Yesh in Uniontown, Pennsylvania in 1950, they moved to Lincoln Park, Michigan, where he raised his family. Many of their brothers and sister moved and lived near "The Motor City." Many good times were enjoyed camping or at their cottage near the St. Clair River in Algonac, Michigan.

Joseph was a self- taught carpenter and worked for the Lincoln Park School District as an engineer and carpenter. He loved to read the newspaper cover to cover, books, magazines, and catalogues. He was knowledgeable and skilled at many things.

They enjoyed a country home in Carleton, Michigan for several years. He retired in 1991 and they began their life in Rocky Point, near Stuart, Florida, in the home he and Cecelia had built on Orange Street. They often enjoyed entertaining family, neighbors, and friends. They loved going to Blue Grass Festivals in many states. He pursued his lifelong hobbies of fishing, boating, camping, and listening to music. He was uniquely known for his skill in building beautiful museum quality model ships.

He was pre-ceded in death by his beloved wife, Cecelia, his father, Joseph Edward Stefanko, Sr., and his mother, Margie Koperdak.

Joe is survived by his son Kevin Stefanko, of Stuart; two daughters, Judy Heck, of Carleton, Michigan, and Diane Barbret, and her husband, Craig, of Fort Pierce, Florida; two brothers, Robert "Bud" Stefanko, and his wife, Marilyn, and Jim Stefanko; and two sisters, Linda Stefanko, and Patricia Raville. He loved his grandchildren Lisa, and Ryan Heck, Scott, Kristen, and Eric, Barbret, and Jonathan Stefanko; and his beloved dog, " Trixie".

A Service to Celebrate Joe's Life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014 in the Chapel of the Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, 950 SE Montery Road, Stuart, Florida 34994, where the Family will receive friends after 10:30 with a Memorial Service at 12:30pm. Military Honors and Presentation of the Flag by the United States Navy Honor Guard will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, Contributions as a Memorial may be made to either SE Florida Honor Flight, PO Box #1503, Stuart, Florida 34995 (1-855-359-2838) or to the Wounded Warriors of South Florida, 1335 Old Dixie Highway, Suite #3, Lake Park, Florida 33403 (1-561-855-4207).

On online Guestbook is available by visiting wwwtreasurecoastseawinds.com