Anthony "Tony" Jele

Anthony "Tony" Jele, 92, passed away on December 23, 2016. Tony was born in "Germantown" Chicago, IL and graduated from St Michaels High School. He was inducted into the US Army in 1943 when he was 18 years old. Tony landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France in the first wave of the D Day Invasion, and as part of the European liberating force, battled his way across France, Belgium, and Germany with the 4th Infantry. Tony received two Bronze Star medals and a Purple Heart medal. After World War II, he continued to serve his country as a US Navy Civilian at the Great Lakes Naval Center Electronic Supply Office in Illinois, procuring parts to outfit Polaris Nuclear Submarines helping to win the Cold War. During his travels to visit relatives in Austria he met Catherine Furman and they were married the next year (1985). Tony and Catherine continued their travels to every continent around the world.

Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine Furman Jele; his parents, Anthon and Frances Jele; his brothers, Robert Jele and Herman Jele; Catherine's daughter-in-law, Margaret Furman and Catherine's granddaughter, India Furman. He is survived by nephews, Scott Jele, Daniel Jele, Mark Jele, and Jerry Jele; niece, Janice Ikhtiari; as well as Catherine's children, Wesley Furman, Bruce Furman, Bruce's wife, Donna Furman and Catherine's grandchildren. A private Memorial Service is being held with Interment following at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, NM.