RAPID CITY- Joseph Munro, 96, passed away September 28, 2018. Joe was born February 5, 1922 in Harvey, Illinois, to James and Mary Munro, who were both Scottish immigrants. Joe grew up in Harvey, and then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was awarded a degree in mechanical engineering.

Joe served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and while assigned as the assistant engineering officer with the rank of Ensign, survived the October 3, 1944 torpedo attack and sinking of the Destroyer Escort Shelton, DE 407, near the island of Morotai. Following that incident, Joe was given a 30 day leave back in the states, during which he married Dorothy LaPray (d. 2005) of Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 4, 1944. He then was reassigned to the Destroyer Escort Edwards, on which he served as the Engineering Officer. Joe served on the Edwards as part of the occupation force of Japan following the end of the war.

Together Joe and Dorothy had five sons and lived in Minneapolis, MN, Marshfield, WI, Rapid City, SD, Rock Springs, WY, and Portland Oregon. Following Dorothy's death in 2005, Joe married Margaret Litzen in 2007. Margie was his devoted wife until his death.

Joe is survived by his five sons, Allen (Pam) of Manhattan Beach CA, James (Elizabeth Kraus) of Dunedin FL, Thomas (Evette) of Germantown MD, Christopher and Paul both of San Jose CA, as well as by granddaughter Jill, grandsons J.P., Michael and Quinton, great-grandson Isaac and great granddaughters Marion and Jane. He was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy, by two brothers, James and William, by his sister May, and by his grandson Alexander.

A visitation will begin at 5:00 pm, Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Blessed Sacrament Church with a Christian wake service and recitation of the rosary at 6:00 pm at the Church.

Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 2:00 pm, Friday, October 5 at the church.

Inurnment of his ashes will take place at the Mountain View Cemetery at a later time.

A memorial will be established by the family.