Joseph Michael Krkoska

Joseph Michael Krkoska, 59, of Zionsville, passed away on November 18, 2020. He was born on August 29, 1961 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph S. and Dorothy L. Krkoska.

Joe was raised modestly by his hard-working parents to appreciate the value of life, family, laughter and honesty. His close relationships with his grandparents instilled in him discipline, duty, peace and allowing the heart to guide life’s greatest decisions. Joe had fond memories of his time at “the camp” with his family growing up, exploring the wilderness, hunting and fishing. He was strong and determined, even from a young age. He started as a towel boy at the local YMCA, managed a paper route as a young teen and discovered his love for engineering while working as a draftsman. Despite being told by his academic advisor that he would never make it in the engineering field, Joe’s passion, motivation and strong work ethic drove him to accomplish anything he set his mind to. This was not limited to his work life; he used this quality to convince his wife of 35 years to accept his invitation to take her on their first date. He liked to share that he learned what love at first sight felt like the day he met Lynne. Being together since age 16 and 17, he could not imagine a better life partner. During his time at Pennsylvania State University, his studious nature combined with his desire to visit home to see Lynne almost entirely occupied his schedule. During any spare time, he could be found at Fishermans Paradise outside State College, fly fishing and enjoying the outdoors.

Joe would acknowledge that timing played a large role in his decision to move to Midland, Michigan to join the Dow Chemical Company in 1983. He was preparing to make a call to accept a local engineering job when a friend invited him to lunch. When he returned a letter from Dow with a job offer was waiting for him, which ultimately became the first step in his life’s journey. Following their engagement in December of 1984 at the Erie Peninsula and wedding in September of 1985, Lynne joined Joe to start their lives together in Michigan. They welcomed their first daughter in 1988, their second in 1990, their third in 1992 and their fourth in 1996. When asked whether Joe kept trying for a boy, he always answered that he was blessed with a household of women. He used his role as a Chemical Engineer to move into leadership and Supply Chain, being offered his first job relocation in 2000. He and his family lived in the United Kingdom for four years, where Joe had the opportunity to share his passion for international travel with his family. In 2004 they moved to California and shortly thereafter welcomed their fifth child, a boy! After three years in California, Dow Agroscience asked him to join them at their headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. Joe convinced Lynne that this was their last move and that they would settle down in their forever home in Zionsville as their children moved through elementary school, middle school, high school and college. After 34 years with Dow, Joe was offered the opportunity of a lifetime and his dream job as EVP of Global Operations with Adama in Tel Aviv, Israel. Joe asked Lynne to join him on this final career adventure, with their high school aged son in tow. He loved that he had the chance to, yet again, share his love for international culture with his family. His health pulled him back to the US in 2019 around the same time that he earned the title of grandfather, which was perhaps one of his favorite titles he has carried throughout his personal and professional career.

Joe treasured his family and their life together above all else. Any moment with everyone present, big or small, was something to be celebrated. He was most thankful for the milestone achievements he was able to witness in his childrens lives’ and loved to tell anyone that he believed life had daily miracles. As a busy leader at work, he always dropped everything for family. Lynne describes him as a one-of-a-kind husband and irreplaceable; he had a huge heart and would do anything for anyone. He lived each day to the fullest and was a selfless friend, teacher and mentor. She always admired his highly motivated personality and all that he accomplished as a result. He was eager to encourage others to strive for greatness, enjoy what they were doing and to always do their best. His children describe him as a genuinely amazing friend and role model. Even in a serious moment, Joe had a witty comment or joke to lighten any mood, often laughing at his own sarcasm. His advice was endless and if you sought an opinion, he had one. However, he was also a skilled listener and knew when to encourage his children to make their own difficult decisions, even if he wanted to add his own viewpoint. Every warm embrace was filled with the enthusiastic love he had for his family. He was the definition of a perfect husband and father.

In his limited spare time, he always enjoyed staying active and felt that exercise not only gave him energy and stamina but allowed him to set more goals for himself and always have his sights on a new “personal record.” He would share pictures from his distance runs during his travels and thrived on the adventure and exploration this added to his worldly experiences. Despite being such a lively and active person, he also truly loved gardening and relaxing in his backyard hammock, which often lead to a well-deserved nap.

He loved his professional community and the lifelong friendships that developed from his time with Dow and Adama. He enjoyed public speaking, mentoring and staying involved with his Penn State Engineering community while willingly and generously sharing his passion and expertise. Joe’s colleagues would share that he made those around him better people and made tremendous and lasting marks in this world. His smile would light a room and he knew no stranger. He was truly a friend to all. To know him was to love him and he had a community of friends wherever he traveled around the globe.

He will be forever loved, cherished and missed.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lynne Krkoska; children: Bethany (Michael) Evans, Aimee (John) Black, Mallory, Jodi and Michael Krkoska and grandchildren Charlotte Black, Asher Evans, Baby Boy Evans due February 2021 and Baby Black due May 2021. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Krkoska and Edward (Susan) Krkoska as well as his aunt Judy (Don) Halcom and in-laws John and Dottie Hermann. A charismatic man like Joe is also survived by his many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Joseph and Dorothy Krkoska and his grandparents Joseph and Josephine Krkoska and Michael and Margaret Metro.

Due to mandatory COVID-19 gathering restrictions, the family will be holding private services with plans for a Celebration of Life event in 2021. To send online condolences please visit www.flannerbuchanan.com. Handwritten notes are welcome to be sent to their home address. In lieu of flowers, please provide memorial contributions to one of Joe’s passions, giving back to his Penn State Engineering community. Donations by check can be sent to the following address. Please include allocation code “ACDCH” in the memo line to support the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Penn State University

Donor & Member Services

2583 Gateway Dr. Suite 130

State College, PA 16801

For those interested in attending the virtual mass Friday, November 27^rd at 1pm, please use the link below:

https://zionsvillecatholic.com/livestream