Justin Tyler Wojtkowski, 40, of Morris, Illinois, died on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from injuries sustained in an accident in LaSalle, Illinois. He was a father, a veteran, a mechanic, and by every account from those who knew him, the kind of person who made any room feel warmer the moment he stepped into it.
His passing has left a deep void in the lives of his family and the many friends he collected across a lifetime of genuine connection.
Born on November 1, 1985, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, Justin was the son of Edward and Janet Wojtkowski. He spent his early years in Crestwood before his family relocated to Plainfield in 1995.
It was there that the teenager began building the wide circle of friendships that would follow him into adulthood.
He graduated from Plainfield South High School with the Class of 2004 and went on to study Industrial Mechanical Maintenance at Joliet Junior College, a field that suited his sharp, practical mind perfectly.
A Soldier Who Brought Quiet Courage Home
Justin answered the call to serve his country through the United States Army, and he did so with the same steady reliability that defined everything else he took on in life. His military record reflected genuine dedication.
He earned the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
These were not ceremonial honors but earned recognition of a young man who showed up fully and did what was asked of him without complaint. When his service ended, he carried those same qualities back into civilian life without fanfare.
Following his time in uniform, Justin built a career as a Field Mechanic with ExxonMobil. His technical training and military discipline translated naturally into the demands of the job.
Coworkers and family alike knew him as someone who could troubleshoot a difficult problem without losing his cool and who rarely passed up the chance to help someone else along the way. A joke and a grin were typically part of the package, offered at no extra charge.
A Father, a Friend, a Familiar Smile
The center of Justin’s world was his daughter, Marley Wojtkowski. Friends and family describe him as a devoted father whose love for her was obvious to anyone who spent time around them.
Outside of fatherhood, Justin poured his energy into the people closest to him. He was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, when laughter was in the air, and nobody had anywhere pressing to be.
He is survived by his daughter Marley, his mother Janet Wojtkowski, his brothers Joshua and Jason Wojtkowski, along with their families, his nephew Jack, and his niece London Archey. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward, and his grandparents.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home in Joliet, Illinois, from 2:00 p.m. until the Memorial Service at 6:00 p.m.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials in his name may be directed to Disabled American Veterans.
Justin Wojtkowski was 40 years old. He lived well, loved openly, and left people better than he found them.
