Joseph V. DeSantis, 84, Jo Jo The Funny Singing Clown

Mr. DeSantis was born in Lorain on January 15, 1924.

He was a lifelong member of St. Peter Church in Lorain. He graduated from Lorain High School in the class of 1942A. Following High School, Mr. DeSantis enlisted in the United States Navy from 1943-1946. He served on the battleship, U.S.S. New Jersey in the South Pacific during WWII. He was a Gunners Mate 2nd Class with 16" guns. He returned from war and continued his education. Mr. DeSantis graduated from Bowling Green University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1950.

He spent his life entertaining hundreds of thousands of people over the course of 59 years spanning 18 states.

Mr. DeSantis enjoyed fishing and watching baseball. He was a member of the I.A.V. Post #1 and a past member of the VFW Post 451.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janis E. (nee: Mitenbuler) DeSantis; brother, Peter DeSantis; sister, Eleanor Shulsky; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Mr. DeSantis was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Laura (Caferri) DeSantis; brother, Mario DeSantis; and sister, Mary Jo Mullins.

The family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain (440) 244-1961 on Monday, October 27, 2008 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM with a rosary service at 3 PM. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9:20 AM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM, Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at St. Peter Church, 3655 Oberlin Ave, Lorain, OH 44053, Fr. Chuck Henkle, Associate Pastor, O.F.M. Conv, officiating. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, where military services will be conducted by the I.A.V. Post #1.

Memorial Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.