Joseph Renato Marconi was a respected trial attorney, a stand-out athlete, and a passionate Italian-American, who delighted in expressing his cherished heritage. But he was, first and foremost, a devoted husband, caring father, loving grandfather, and cherished friend.
After a very brief illness, Joe died peacefully on November 10th, 2025, at his home in Carmel, Indiana. He spent the last moments of his life with his family, where he was most happy. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Micki Ragonese, children Laura (Ken) Stumpf, of Carmel, Indiana, Sam (Abby) Marconi, of Chicago, Illinois, and Allie Marconi (Tanner McGrath), of Piedmont, California; grandchildren Marin and Sloane Stumpf, Lucy and Beau Marconi, and Joni and Elle McGrath; and sisters Susan Marconi and Angelinn Caffarini. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Andretta Marconi.
Born on November 3, 1949, Joe was a proud son of Chicago Heights, Illinois. During his youth, he attended Mt. Carmel Grammar School, and worked at the Marconi Baking Company, which was founded by his grandfather Giuseppe Joseph Marconi in 1911, and which continues to serve the area to this day. Joe graduated from Marian Catholic High School, where he earned an athletic scholarship to Iowa State University. As left tackle on the football team, Joe developed a lifelong love for the Cyclones, and capped his successful athletic career by playing in the school's first bowl game, the 1971 Sun Bowl, under legendary coach Johnny Majors. Joe joined the coaching staff at Iowa State for a few years after his graduation in 1972, and then decided to pursue a law degree back home in Chicago.
Joe graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1976, initially practicing with a sole practitioner before starting his own law firm. In 1988 he joined Johnson & Bell, where he was a pillar of excellence and tenacity. In his over 36 years with the firm, Joe shepherded it to a national presence as he juggled his busy trial law practice with significant management responsibilities, spending many years as President of the firm. In the wider legal community, Joe was known as a force to be reckoned with, and was broadly respected. His accolades were numerous, including The John Marshall Law School “Distinguished Service Award,” and “Excellence in Business Litigation” honor from Chicago Magazine. He was recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer every year since 2004, and byThe Best Lawyers in America every year since 2019. At the time of his death, Joe was serving as Chairman Emeritus of Johnson & Bell's Board of Directors. These responsibilities, together with ongoing trial work, continued up until late October 2025.
During Joe’s early years practicing law, he met the inimitable Micki Ragonese at Butch McGuire's by the cigarette machine. The rest is history, and they married in a quiet ceremony on April Fools Day in 1983. They loved going on road trips and bike rides, discovering hidden gems and experiencing new adventures. After the births of their first two children, the couple moved from the city to Western Springs, Illinois, to raise their family. As a father, Joe was a rock of the family and community, coaching many youth sports teams and providing his children with love and support in all of their endeavors. Joe and Micki remained in Western Springs until 2022, when they relocated to Indianapolis to be closer to their grandchildren. Joe continued to travel regularly to Chicago to maintain his law practice. But most importantly, Joe split his time in the last few years between Indiana, Chicago, and California to spend time with all six of his lively young grandchildren. “Papa Joe” – as the grandkids affectionately refer to him – took great pride in his role in their lives, and they provided him with endless joy and laughter. All five of his granddaughters inherited his beautiful blue eyes, while his sole brown-eyed grandson inherited the sparkle behind them.
Joe loved to cook Italian food for his family, specializing in Sunday gravy, sausage and peppers, and linguini and clam sauce, which he made every Friday. He traveled the world with Micki and his children, meeting distant relatives in Italy, paddle boarding in Hawaii, and catching spring training games in Arizona. In his later years he always stayed active, biking, swimming, and playing bocce with his neighbors. He remained an avid fan of Iowa State football, and maintained close friendships with many of his former teammates. A longtime South Side Cubs fan, Joe was lucky enough to attend many games over the years, including Game 4 of the epic 2016 World Series with his son, Sam.
Joe had a playful smile, a ready laugh and loved life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (https://lustgarten.org/get-involved/donate/).
After a very brief illness, Joe died peacefully on November 10th, 2025, at his home in Carmel, Indiana. He spent the last moments of his life with his family, where he was most happy. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Micki Ragonese, children Laura (Ken) Stumpf, of Carmel, Indiana, Sam (Abby) Marconi, of Chicago, Illinois, and Allie Marconi (Tanner McGrath), of Piedmont, California; grandchildren Marin and Sloane Stumpf, Lucy and Beau Marconi, and Joni and Elle McGrath; and sisters Susan Marconi and Angelinn Caffarini. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Andretta Marconi.
Born on November 3, 1949, Joe was a proud son of Chicago Heights, Illinois. During his youth, he attended Mt. Carmel Grammar School, and worked at the Marconi Baking Company, which was founded by his grandfather Giuseppe Joseph Marconi in 1911, and which continues to serve the area to this day. Joe graduated from Marian Catholic High School, where he earned an athletic scholarship to Iowa State University. As left tackle on the football team, Joe developed a lifelong love for the Cyclones, and capped his successful athletic career by playing in the school's first bowl game, the 1971 Sun Bowl, under legendary coach Johnny Majors. Joe joined the coaching staff at Iowa State for a few years after his graduation in 1972, and then decided to pursue a law degree back home in Chicago.
Joe graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1976, initially practicing with a sole practitioner before starting his own law firm. In 1988 he joined Johnson & Bell, where he was a pillar of excellence and tenacity. In his over 36 years with the firm, Joe shepherded it to a national presence as he juggled his busy trial law practice with significant management responsibilities, spending many years as President of the firm. In the wider legal community, Joe was known as a force to be reckoned with, and was broadly respected. His accolades were numerous, including The John Marshall Law School “Distinguished Service Award,” and “Excellence in Business Litigation” honor from Chicago Magazine. He was recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer every year since 2004, and byThe Best Lawyers in America every year since 2019. At the time of his death, Joe was serving as Chairman Emeritus of Johnson & Bell's Board of Directors. These responsibilities, together with ongoing trial work, continued up until late October 2025.
During Joe’s early years practicing law, he met the inimitable Micki Ragonese at Butch McGuire's by the cigarette machine. The rest is history, and they married in a quiet ceremony on April Fools Day in 1983. They loved going on road trips and bike rides, discovering hidden gems and experiencing new adventures. After the births of their first two children, the couple moved from the city to Western Springs, Illinois, to raise their family. As a father, Joe was a rock of the family and community, coaching many youth sports teams and providing his children with love and support in all of their endeavors. Joe and Micki remained in Western Springs until 2022, when they relocated to Indianapolis to be closer to their grandchildren. Joe continued to travel regularly to Chicago to maintain his law practice. But most importantly, Joe split his time in the last few years between Indiana, Chicago, and California to spend time with all six of his lively young grandchildren. “Papa Joe” – as the grandkids affectionately refer to him – took great pride in his role in their lives, and they provided him with endless joy and laughter. All five of his granddaughters inherited his beautiful blue eyes, while his sole brown-eyed grandson inherited the sparkle behind them.
Joe loved to cook Italian food for his family, specializing in Sunday gravy, sausage and peppers, and linguini and clam sauce, which he made every Friday. He traveled the world with Micki and his children, meeting distant relatives in Italy, paddle boarding in Hawaii, and catching spring training games in Arizona. In his later years he always stayed active, biking, swimming, and playing bocce with his neighbors. He remained an avid fan of Iowa State football, and maintained close friendships with many of his former teammates. A longtime South Side Cubs fan, Joe was lucky enough to attend many games over the years, including Game 4 of the epic 2016 World Series with his son, Sam.
Joe had a playful smile, a ready laugh and loved life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (https://lustgarten.org/get-involved/donate/).
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