Joel A. Medema, 60, of Fulton, IL, died Saturday, February 15, 2020, at his home.
Joel was born September 22, 1959, in Morrison, IL, to Alan and Joyce (Wierenga) Medema. He was educated in rural Whiteside County Grade Schools of Union Grove and Prairie Center and was a 1979 graduate of Morrison High School. In 1981 he graduated from Hobart School of Welding Technology in Troy, OH. Joey was a certified welder and also farmed alongside his father, Alan, in the Morrison area. He was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25 Union in Rock Island, IL, and a member of the Whiteside County Farm Bureau. Joey was nature’s friend, feeding the birds and squirrels year-round. He spent many hours giving his furry canine companions rides to the Albany Indian Mounds, on the ATV he modified for them to ride.
Survivors include his parents, Alan and Joyce Medema, of Monroe, OH; sister, Lori Mays of Middletown, OH; nephews, Benjamin Mays and Bartholomew Mays, both of Middletown; aunt, Paula Custer of Morrison; special friend of 20 years, Mary Milligan of Albany, IL; many cousins; a cat, Rocky, and his labs, Cleavon, Cheech, and Chong.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; two uncles, Darrell and Loren Wierenga.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
A private family graveside service will be held at Lusk Memorial Cemetery in Albany, IL.
The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials for Parkinson Research and the Clinton Humane Society have been established. Memorials may be dropped off or sent to the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, 404 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, 61270. They will be forwarded to the family.