Joseph Traum

Joseph Traum, age 84, of Elizabeth, Illinois died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Elizabeth Nursing Home. A memorial service will take place 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 19, 2012 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth. Inurnment will be in the Elizabeth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in Joe’s memory for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Joseph was born March 19, 1928 in Czrna Bara, Yugoslavia, the son of Michael and Anna Rosa (Csanadi) Traum. He came to Elizabeth in 1953 from Germany, to follow his sweetheart, Paula. On August 9, 1953, Joseph married Paula Frida Geiger in Elizabeth. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Chicago. For 13 years, Joe worked for Bell & Howell as a Tool & Dye Maker. In 1967 they returned to Elizabeth to begin farming. Joseph retired in 1989.
Joseph loved the time he spent farming, as well as fishing and playing cards, and was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Paula; three children, Eileen (Rev. Terry) Theiss of Pecatonica, Illinois, Michael (Laurie) Traum of Homosassa, Florida, Joseph (Karen) Traum of Dubuque, Iowa; five grandchildren, ; and one sister Eva (Maxilian) Bily, of Metzingen, Germany.
Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Johann and Anton Traum, and one infant sister, Maria.