Joseph V. “Joe” Bunetic
Fair Winds and Following Seas Joe
My friend of 38 years, Joe Bunetic has passed away on March 1, 2025. I first met Joe through my contact with Holley Carburetors Tech Line in 1987. I called Holley Tech looking for help with my newly acquired, personal used Buddy Barr 289 6V. The tech guy’s answer to me over the phone was, “We know nothing about those Ford Carburetors. Call this “Joe Guy” in St Louis and gave me his home phone number. We have been friends ever since.
I will miss him. Thanks Joe for sharing the mountain of information you had with so many of us over the years. v/r mgbrattland
Joseph V. “Joe” Bunetic, age 83, of Fairview Heights, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 8, 1941, in St. Louis, MO, a son of the late Joseph M. and Agnes (ne Obremski) Bunetic.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Bunetic and longtime girlfriend, Amy Hughes.
Joe is survived by his children, Vincent (Laurie Klein) Bunetic of Fairview Heights, Blake (Stephanie Lambert) Bunetic of Dublin, CA, David Bunetic of Belleville, Bobby (Mari Vaca) Bunetic of Clayton, CA, Cindy (Jason) Chor of O’Fallon, and Stacy Bunetic of Fairview Heights; grandchildren, Shaina, Michael, and Collin Bunetic, Cory (fiancée Laura) Bunetic, Emily (Alex) Williford, Kirsten Bunetic, Jessica Grant, Kyle (Emily) Quellmalz, Jeff (Lexi) Quellmalz, and Anna, Caitlyn, and Addison Chor; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Holley, Braelynn, Eastyn, Jude, Ava, Greyson, Maverick, Carter, Adalynn, Elena, Harper, Kinsleigh, and Ryder; brother, Ken (Liz) Bunetic of Collinsville; sister-in-law, Kathy Bunetic of Swansea; best buds, Larry Knebel and Ken Spisak; friend and ex-wife of their six children, Linda Moon of Imperial, MO; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A 1959 graduate of Belleville West High School, Joe built a career as a machinist and auto-body repairman, spending over 30 years in the industry before retiring from Auffenberg of Belleville. He was a proud member of the Metro-East Automotive Lodge #313 in Caseyville and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. His passion for automobiles extended beyond work—he was a world-renowned expert in Ford carburetors, earning him the title of “The Holley Carb Guru.” His meticulous carburetor restorations helped power the Shelby Mustangs that placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a world-class vintage car show. Joe was also proud to be a founding member of the Belleville West High School Golf Club.
Joe’s life was defined by his love for vintage cars, Holley carburetor rebuilding, and the thrill of dirt track, stock, and drag car racing. Whether attending swap meets, car shows, the casino to play slots, dining out to enjoy a nice steak, or tending to his beautiful flower gardens, he embraced each day with enthusiasm and passion. Joe had an impeccable memory, was a perfectionist with great attention to detail, and his math skills were unmatched. Wherever there was a great deal or a sale, Joe was there. Most of all, he was a devoted family man, his grandchildren’s biggest fan, never missing a chance to cheer them on at their events.
Joe Bunetic leaves behind a legacy of hard work, kindness, and a deep love for family, friends, and Fords. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Funeral Service will be Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Kassly Mortuary Ltd. in Fairview Heights with Fr. James Buerster officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Fairview Heights.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and again Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Kassly Mortuary Ltd. in Fairview Heights.
Memorials may be made to Belleville Township West High School Boys Golf Team or the Drag Racing Association of Women (DRAW) and will be received at the visitation or by mail, Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th St. Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.
JOE BUNETIC CUSTOM HOLLEY CARBURETORS, FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Joe Bunetic, 65 Concord Drive, Fair View Heights, Illinois 62208 618 397-3580 (Home) 618 402-5062 (Cell) Contact Joe for availability and pricing. Not on the internet. Please give me a call days or evenings. Joe does Text on his mobile.
Specializing in Shelby, BOSS, F.E., & Windsor Ford Carburetors
Holley Carburetors/Assemblies, bought–sold-rebuilt/restored
Prices dependent on condition of parts to be rebuilt
Specialized Holley Rebuilding Consisting of:
Plane main body gasket surfaces Acid dipping to remove dirt & sediment Re-coloring of carburetor Replacement of lost or damaged parts Installation of new kits Bases glass beaded & tumble polished Throttle shafts bushed Power valve protectors installed Removal & replacement of brass plugs & emulsion tubes in metering blocks for through cleaning of internal passages Single carbs or complete 6V/8V assemblies rebuilt to like new condition Restoration of Assemblies includes:
Glass beading of intake Complete rebuilding of carbs Re-plating of linkage if necessary Replacement of hoses & clamps Dual Quad(8V) carburetors available in pairs from 450 to 850CFM
FE 6V assemblies available
Windsor 6V Assemblies Available
“M” Series FE 6V assemblies including all parts now available
FE 6V Carb spacer sets, light brown phonelic now available
Joe Bunetic is looking to buy/wanted:
Holley 2V carbs with 103, 107 or 122 throttle blades Holley List 7448 carburetors Holley list(s) 1848, 4548, 4345, 4609, 3977, 4239, 4224 4V carburetors Holley List 3113 with “Ford” levers 4V carburetors Holley Metering blocks 4224, 4752, 5433, 5673, 5812 Holley List 3V carburetors 4779 Any interesting Holley Carburetors Contact :