Joseph P. Ossola, 86, of Collinsville, Ill., born Saturday, March 30, 1929, in Spring Valley, Ill., died Sunday, June 14, 2015, at Rosewood Care Center, Edwardsville, Ill.

Big Joe was a multi-sport standout athlete. Joe started his journey as a standout power forward for the 1948 NIT World Champion St. Louis University Billikens, alongside the legendary "Easy Ed McCauley" and his other cherished teammates. When the NBA made him an offer, he chose to pursue MLB baseball instead and accepted a contract to play for the St. Louis Cardinals. He played from 1950-53 in the minor leagues and made it to the AAA level with a .245 batting average, but fell short of the majors. An incredible figure on and off the field he hung up the cleats and had an illustrious career at Granite City Steel as an upper-level manager. An avid golfer, skier, biker, and world traveler, Joe rarely sat still. His family was his #1 priority. He attended and was a faithful member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Collinsville, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Pearl, nee Schwartz, Ossola; and a brother, Jim Ossola.

Surviving are his wife, Laura Kate, nee Nevinger, Ossola, whom he married November 11, 1950; four sons, Kenneth (Mary Jane) Ossola of Northville, Mich., Daniel P. Ossola of Edwardsville, Ill., Joseph O. (Kelly) Ossola, and James J. (Megan) Ossola of Telluride, Colo.; a daughter, Christine K. Clark of Collinsville, Ill.; ten grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, or in the form of masses to the church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at: www.herrfuneral.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill., and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, Ill., with Fr. John Beveridge officiating. Burial will be in SS Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Collinsville, Ill.