Joel E. McNeely, 69, of Jacksonville, IL passed away December 17, 2024, at his home.

He was born August 4, 1955, to Jack and Virginia (Hempel) McNeely. Joel married Kathleen Merris on September 8, 1988, in Louisiana, Missouri and she survives.

He is survived also by his sisters Janice McNeely and Marcia (Michael) Gatens; his brother, Mark (Shelia) McNeely; nieces Lesley McNeely, Alysson (Jon) Dighton, and Kelly (Zack) Taylor; and nephew, Anthony McNeely. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother David McNeely.

Joel was a graduate of Jacksonville High School, and he attended classes at both University of Illinois and MacMurray College. He worked at Nestle before starting to work as a Union Carpenter Local #904.

In high school he was a part of the Marching and Jazz bands where he played the alto saxophone. Joel played with the Jacksonville Red Legs with his father and brother. He loved hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting and rock hunting. He also enjoyed his big gardens where he and his wife preserved as much as they could.

A visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. A memorial service will then be hosted by the family at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at the Lynville Christian Church. Memorials are suggested to PAWS or to HSHS Home Care & Hospice. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.