Joseph D. Kane

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Son, brother, husband, father, grandson, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend. Joseph Daniel Kane had many titles, but the most important one is Child of God. On March 14, 2018, at the age of 42, Joe was welcomed into the arms of his Savior.

Joe was born on March 21, 1975, in Monmouth, IL the firstborn of Daniel Joseph Kane and Carol Lee (Morey) Kane. On June 13, 1998, he married the love of his life, Cindy Jo Brown at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Monmouth.

Joe and Cindy shared an incredible bond and love for each other. From the moment they were introduced by a mutual friend, they knew they would be married. She was his rock, partner in pranks, and whole world. Together, they have grown in their faith and worked incredibly hard to make the community a better place. They have dedicated their life to raising their four beautiful children; Ashleigh Jacquilynn, William Joseph, Lauren Lucille (Luci), and Jacob E. Daniel (Jack).

Ashleigh (21), was the one who made him a dad. She brought out his soft nurturing side (that he didn’t let many see). He was incredibly proud of her and all she has accomplished as a student, athlete, Fair Queen and as an Army National Guard graduate - graduating in the top 10% of the program. She is now enrolled in the Biomedical Program in San Antonio, Texas where she recently earned Student, First Sergeant. Joe was so proud of her strength and determination and always knew she would be able to hold her own.

William (18), is a replica of his dad. Joe loved sharing his passion for derby cars and the shooting range with Will. Joe’s pride in William was most evident when William made his commitment to the Illinois Army National Guard and becoming a fourth generation Infantryman following in his Grandpa Brown’s footsteps. Joe was most impressed with William’s sharpshooting award. He knew he could count on William.

Luci (14), and her dad had a special bond full of teasing and inside jokes. He loved her determination, competitive spirit, and watching her succeed in school and athletics. He was her biggest cheerleader and fan. An excellent student, hard-working attitude and fun sense of humor, he loved his little but mighty Luci.

Jack (11) kept Joe laughing and smiling. Joe was an amazing artist and builder, a talent he passed down to Jack, and together they made the best and fastest pinewood derby cars. They spent lots of time building legos, test driving the demolition derby cars in the pasture, and ice fishing in the pond behind the house. The mischievous glint in Jack’s eye, comes directly from his dad.

Joe was a 1993 graduate of Southern High School where he proudly wore #75 as a leader on the football field. “Big Joe” enjoyed hunting, get togethers at the cabin, and raising “Kane” with his cousins. He spent his high school years working on the family farm, mudding in his International Scout, and designing the best figure 8 and demolition derby cars with his cousins and friends. K-75 will forever be remembered.

He graduated from Western Illinois University in 1997 with an Agriculture degree.  He worked for CGB REDSHED as the Illinois Fertilizer Retail Manager in Smithshire, IL. where he loved to pull pranks on his coworkers. He was hard-working, well respected, and admired by his colleagues.

Joe wore many other hats including Henderson County Fair Board President for the last 12 years, Promoter and Sponsor of the Western Illinois Figure 8 Racing Series, Creator of the Henderson County Fair Refurbished Window Contest to celebrate the 200th birthday of Illinois in loving memory of his Uncle Arthur F. Kane, and supporter of the Relay for Life, volunteer fireman and Co-Chairman for many years of the Raritan Fireman Fireworks Display.

Joe and Cindy served as St. Patrick’s Catholic Church youth group leaders, taking the kids on numerous mission trips with Catholic Heart Work Camp. They hosted several events at the church and served those in the community. His leadership with the youth will be greatly missed.

Joe and Cindy were the founders of the very successful “Barn Crawl ~ Crawlin’ for a Cure” that in 7 years, raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society and provided the community with a common cause to rally behind and support and we all know, there’s nothing like being hauled around in a cattle trailer!

Joe excelled at all he did. He worked hard and played hard. Joe was a gifted artist, a huge Notre Dame fan, loved shooting fireworks, blaring Nickelback, and was always seen with a Sharpie marker in his pocket and pumping hand sanitizer. He shared a passion for IH tractors with his dad and loved to surprise his mom with gifts for her garden. As a son, his parents couldn’t be more proud of the man he had become: hard-working, kind, funny, selfless and the best big brother his sisters could ever have. He was the guy that just showed up to get things done. He was a pillar of strength to his family and his absence will be felt greatly. He dedicated his life to loving his entire family and community.

Survivors include his wife; children; parents; his sisters, Julia (Josh) Springer of Metamora, IL and Jeanie (Craig) Campbell of Smithshire, IL; his mother-in-law, Barb Brown of Bellflower, IL and sister-in-law Amy (Ernie) Hamilton of Saybrook; His nieces and nephews, Andrew, Emma Rose, Chloe and Samuel Springer; Kyle, Shaila and his sweet little Evie Marie Campbell; Noah, Hannah and Adam Hamilton, who all admired and looked up to him; Uncles John B. (Nancy) Kane, Robert (Shirley) Kane, Frank (Deanne) Kane, and Aunt Vicki (Danny) Spence.

His cousins Jim (Kim), Jason (Jodi), Jeremy (Kristel) Kane and Katie (Jonathan) Arnold; Erick (Christine), Kevin (Ashley), and Michael Kane; Tracy Watson, Channon (Don) Hanson, Joe (Hope), Adam, Brian (Amanda) Kane, Michelle (Ben) Johnson, Melissa (Tom) Campen; Holly (Thad) Tharp, Jackie Spence and Brad (Abby) Spence.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John W. and Catherine Rosemary (Larkin) Kane of Media, IL and Harry Lee and Betty Jean Morey of Monmouth, IL; his uncle Arthur F.  Kane and aunt Rose Marie Kane; and his father-in-law, Dick Brown of Bellflower this past December.

Visitation will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Community Center in rural Raritan on Tuesday, March 20 from 4:30 to 8 p.m with the rosary to begin at 4 p.m. In a final celebration of life, funeral services will be held on his 43rd birthday, Wednesday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with his cousin Father Lee Brokaw and Father Luke Spannagel officiating, also celebrating Mass will be Monsignor Thomas Mack and Father Tom Otto. Following the burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, a dinner will be held at the community center.

Memorials are being established for an education fund for his children and a future memoriam to be determined in his honor. Wise Family Funeral Home in Roseville is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wisefamilyfuneralhome.com .