Joseph R. Kovanda, age 89, a resident of Wyndemere in Wheaton, formerly of Cicero and Naperville, died January 2, at Wynscape Healthcare Center in Wheaton. He was born on May 10, 1922 in Cicero, Illinois to Joseph and Emma Kovanda.

Joe graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in Chemistry. Following WWII, he served in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC), where he qualified as a special agent. He worked for 46 years for Intermatic, Inc. where he was a chemist who managed the product testing laboratory. Always inquisitive and creative, Joe possessed a wide range of capabilities including a lifelong interest in photography and the darkroom, linguistics, art, clever inventions and adaptations, and a large inventory of jokes and riddles.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Carol (Dr. Mark Ludvigson) Kovanda and Gary(Jeanne) Kovanda, his grandchildren, Gregory and Stephanie Kovanda.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Donna, his sister, Emilie Kovanda and his parents.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 8 at 1:00 p.m. at Wyndemere Retirement Community, 200 Wyndemere Circle, Wheaton, IL.

Interment will take place in Athens, OH.

Memorials may be directed to the American Legion, Naperville Post #43, PO Box 4, Naperville, IL 60566.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at www.hultgrenfh.com or call 630-668-0027 for more information.