Joseph Herndon
Alton |
With the heaviest of hearts, we sadly announce the unexpected passing of Joseph William Herndon Jr. on February 7, at the young age of 56.
Joe, commonly known by his loved ones as “Uncle Joe Doe,” was a simple man with a strong mind and soft heart. His hometown of Alton Illinois will miss his affectious laughter and selfless demeanor, whose wealth flourished by giving to others, making his happiness contagious.
Joe was known for his enthusiasm of volleyball, his devotion to coaching and most of all, his love and affection of being a father to his five descendants.
Joe lived life with compassion, naturally carrying the title of coach with high honor. Countless athletes throughout the area will cherish his patience and ability to gracefully slow the game down, ultimately allowing them to streamline their focus and rely on the basics. Simple, yet crucial traits these young athletes can grow from and carry on throughout their lives, leading to success within their milestones to come.
His qualities of his genuine respect to others, honorable integrity and a distinct sense of humor that spread laughter, made him a desirable comrade, teammate and friend. Joe was a particularly formidable opponent in the area’s recreational volleyball leagues and annual mud volleyball tournaments, habitually placing on top of the charts. Joe had a great deal of cherished colleagues, many that cultivated from volleyball courts across the region. These unprecedented relationships carried on throughout his years and trickled down throughout the families’ generations.
But it was no doubt that it was his family he admired most. Joe often proudly expressed that his family was his life’s greatest accomplishment. His wealth of love and devotion knew no bounds. As an avid Beatles fan, his kids often refer to the many songs and lyrics that pertain to his legacy of speaking his words of wisdom and his easygoing nature to just let it be.
Through hard work and perseverance, Joe’s driven attitude and unrivaled industriousness allowed him to become what many would call a jack of all trades in the construction and home improvement industry. Joe spent decades in our surrounding neighborhoods sharpening his carpentry skills, ultimately retiring to a home in Jersey County, which he built from the ground up, as he had always dreamed.
Joe is survived by his five children and their families; Children, Jesten Herndon (Kelley Laughlin), Brittany Kohler, Jordon (Jonessa) Herndon, Kelsea Herndon and Kenlea (Jake) Avello; as well as 8 grandchildren, Jonathan Scroggins, Jonathan Brown, Elijah Brown, Jude Herndon, Joseph Braden Herndon, Jessalyn Herndon, Vincent Herndon and Camden Herndon. His step mothers Patricia Dickerson and Debbi Rehner; Sister, Tammy Schmidt and her five children Jenna (Ben) Wiedman, Katie Schmidt, Carley Schmidt (Jeremiah Forbes), Sydney Schmidt, Riley Schmidt; Nieces and nephews Kili and Daxton Wiedman, Chandler, Jayde and Theo Forbes; Siblings, Corey Joe (Brei) Elario, Otis Watts, Jessica (Melinda) Watts, Sonja (Bobby) Graham, niece Alayna Graham and step brother Richie Hafertepe; Grandmother Charlotte (Dolly) Herndon; Others include, Dayna Herndon, Joey Schmidt and Jackie Donelson.
Preceded in death are his grandfather, Joseph J. Herndon; Grandparents Betty and Nelson Ealey; Parents, Joseph William Herndon Jr., Patricia Watts.
We invite all who knew Joe to join us in a celebration of life at the Alton Owl’s Club, Thursday, February 13 from 4:00-9:00PM.
