Joshua Lee Palenik

Joshua Lee Palenik, 42, of Kankakee, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2023. Joshua was born April 11, 1980, in Kankakee, the son of Annette Clyden and Edward Palenik. He journeyed through life for 42 years, making friends wherever he went. As a young child you would have found him shooting hoops or running around with a buddy. A regular Midwesterner, Josh loved Mountain Dew, his family, and all things sports. The Bulls, The Bears, and The Fighting Illini of course, but being influenced most by his Grandpa Johney Morris, Josh was a fanatical supporter of the Chicago Cubs. This would fuel a lifelong rivalry with his sister Jenn, the White Sox fan. A guy who enjoyed the simple things, Josh found the most joy in things like fishing, mushroom hunting, watching his nephew play sports, listening to music, eating good food, or just hanging out with friends and family. Spending time on his Grandma Sandy and Papa Bob Milton’s farm added to his appreciation of the outdoors. Josh was a guy who loved his mom, read the Bible, played a lot of cards, and had surprisingly good dance moves. Joshua graduated from Watseka High School and went on to study alternative energy at KCC. Much like his father Ed, Josh was gifted with mechanic knowledge and enjoyed working on cars as well as houses. He spent many years working in the construction field with much of that time spent alongside his stepfather Scott. Family is everything, and Joshua had a lot. A father, he was blessed with one daughter, Alexys Edwards. If you spent time with him, he surely showed you her dance or 4H pictures. His parents, Annette (Scott) Clyden and Ed Palenik shared Joshua and Jennifer, then surrounded him with a blended family of siblings. Josh has 5 little sisters Jennifer (Jeramy) Kissack, Sherry Palenik, Heather Clyden, Nikki Garcia, and Alyssa Royster all of whom he loved fiercely. A perfect definition of brotherhood, Josh has 7 brothers, younger and older, impacting him throughout the years including Dylan Palenik, Justin (Jessica) Clyden, Jason (Jennifer) Reiniche, David Williams, Joey, Derek, and Scott Peters. Nieces and nephews made Josh beam with pride including Tristen, Taya, Traeh, Carter, Jordan, Jackson, Hannah, Jalynn, Levi, and others he wishes he could have spent more time with. A special nephew himself to Aunts April Morales, Holly Milton, and Melanie Morris, Josh grew up with several cousins that he seen often and held special places in his life. His heavenly greeting was imaginably beautiful as his grandmothers Dolores Morris, Sandra Milton, and Norma Palenik all whom he admired as much as he missed, waited with open arms. Standing alongside his grandmas, his Uncle’s Jamey and Butch Morris, a special cousin Jolene, a beloved stepmother Kaye Palenik, 2 grandfathers, Rudy and Doc that he will meet for the first time, and his best friend Eric Osborne, all smiles and love. Josh included so many people in his life, he was a giver of memories. Those memories are his legacy and those who loved him are grateful they were plentiful. Please join us with Joshua's loved ones on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Jensen Funeral Home in Kankakee starting at 2pm until the service at 4pm. A luncheon will follow where everyone is welcome to share stories, pictures, and hugs. Memorial donations in Joshua’s name can be made to Thresholds Outreach Kankakee, Il or any community mental health program.