St. George, UT- Joseph William Rondo returned home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. He was 96 years old and part of "The Greatest Generation."

Joseph was born in Mt. Clemens, MI on September 1, 1924 to Herbert Edward Rondo and Mary Josephine LaForest and was one of eleven children. He had a great early youth which included working until age 16 in his father's machine shop in Mt. Clemens, MI. He enjoyed hunting from an early age and was an excellent marksman. At age 18, he enlisted to proudly serve his country and spent 3 years, 7 months in the US Navy during WWII with sea duty on two destroyers in the South Atlantic protecting transport ships from the German Wolf Pack U-Boats and doing electrical repairs at the New London submarine base.

Joseph was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission in France after his graduation from BYU. He met his eternal companion, Mary Jane Clove in Ventura, CA and they were sealed in the Saint George, UT Temple. They settled in West Covina, CA and raised their family. He loved teaching elementary school for 25 years where he made a positive impact in his students' lives. He and his wife served missions in France, Germany and Madagascar. He loved life dearly because of his love for the Savior Jesus Christ, his wonderful parents, wife and children.

He is survived by his children: Paula Jean Morey McElhinney and her husband John of Central, UT, Burton Joseph Rondo and his wife Victoria of St George, UT, and Allan Lynn Rondo and his wife Shannon of Encinitas, CA; 8 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; siblings: John Rondo, Robert Rondo and Sally Rudich. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents; and 8 siblings.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery.

Joseph's service program can be viewed by clicking here: Joseph Rondo Funeral Service Program

Live streaming web-cast is available by clicking on broadcast below. Webcast will remain on-line for 90 days.