Joseph Aiello
October 02, 2012
Joseph Aiello, 62, passed peacefully on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at home.
Joseph was born on Christmas day 1949 in Des Moines, Iowa. He lived most of his life on the Des Moines Southside and graduated from Dowling High School. Following graduation he played semi-pro baseball in Italy. Upon returning to Des Moines, he owned and operated Giuseppe’s Pizza and Italian Foods for twenty plus years. In 1989 he went to work for Polk County and retired in January 2012. He was a member and past president of the Society of Italian Americans, past president and coach of South Des Moines Little League, president of the La Macchina Club, and served on the Polk County Planning and Zoning Commission.
He was an avid sports fan, particularly the New York Yankees and Iowa Hawkeyes. His favorite spot for watching baseball and football was on his screened in porch. He enjoyed cooking, golfing, gardening, and vacationing in Okoboji. He never met a stranger.
He will be missed by his wife of 23 years, Karla (Chappas); daughters, Catherine (Erik Laifer) Aiello of Phoenix, AZ, Toni Cramarossa of Raleigh, NC, Daniella West of Atlanta, GA; sister, Cathy (Ronald) Blades of Des Moines, IA; half-sister, Sharon (Larry) Alitz and half brother, Frank (Jigs) Aiello both of Oelwein, IA; four grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Suzanne Chappas of Des Moines, Debbie Bartlett of Milwaukee, WI and Barbara (Gary) Stoltenberg of Olathe, KS; brother-in-law, John (Donna) Chappas of Spirit Lake, IA and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Catherine Aiello and sister-in-law, Chris Chappas of Kansas City, MO.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church with burial following at Glendale Cemetery. A visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, October 5 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church or HCI (Hospice of Central Iowa).
Online condolences may be sent to www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Rob Wheeler
10/06/2012
Karla, I was so sorry to read of your husband's passing. I'm sorry for your loss and the pain it brings.
Jan LeCroy
10/05/2012
Karla, I was surprised and saddened to hear of Joe's passing. I used to pass his office door on the way to exercising in the skywalk. Joe Always had a kind word or ok sometimes he gave me a hard time! But he was always ready with a smile and ready to help. He will be missed.
Janette (Brown) Johns
10/05/2012
Karla, I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. May you find strength in your family and friends and the many memories you have of your life with Joe. God bless.
Candace Henfrey
10/05/2012
Karla, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have met Joe, we would have had so much in common, both being of Italian heritage and Yankees fans. I will be thinking of you and your family as you go through this difficult time.
GENE/GINGER ARMSTRONG
10/04/2012
KARLA SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF JOE, HE WAS A GREAT MAN. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. ARE PRAYS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.GINGER SISTER OF BILL/ BETTY WHITHAM.
Carlos and Betsy Jayne
10/04/2012
Our sympathies to joe's wife and family. We are neighbors on 37th St. Joe was an exemplary neighbor. Outstanding garden and lawn lover. Very pleasant to visit with. He will be missed. Prayers for all.
Rosemary DeFino Brady
10/04/2012
So very sorry for your loss. I remember Joe as a young child. My prayers are with your family.
Terry, Marlon & Brittney Kronick
10/04/2012
Karla and Family:
Thinking of you... so saddened with the loss of Joey. Have so many Fun memories, and they will never be forgotten!
He will truly be missed.
Hugs to all *
John Chiodo
10/04/2012
My sympathies to Karla. Joe was a great man and I will miss him. I enjoyed playing golf with him any the many conversations we shared.
Deb (Betts) Martin
10/03/2012
My heart breaks for your loss Karla. I pray that the many great memories you have with Joey carry you forward. You are in our prayers.
Lyle & Sue Haburn
10/02/2012
Our sympathies to Karla and extended family. Joey was such a wonderful host to us and a wonderful great uncle to the twins. We will miss him.