Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1923
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Joe Cannon Obituary
LACON - Dr. Joe Wesley Cannon, 94, of Lacon passed away at 3:09 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2017, at UnityPoint Health-Proctor in Peoria.
Joe was born on June 2, 1923, in Bowen, Illinois, to The late Claude and Mae Brown Cannon. He enlisted in the Army at age 19, serving his country as a fighter pilot in the 357th Fighter Group, flying 72 missions over Nazi Germany. After returning from World War II, Joe reenrolled in Illinois College, where he met Josephine Gerdes and married her on December 29, 1946.
When he graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School, he and Josephine decided to settle in Lacon, where Joe served the community for many years as a family physician. Joe used to say that he was the last of the dinosaurs because he made house calls to patients' homes.
Joe was a giving, loving husband, father and grandfather, dedicated to his family, his career as a physician and his church, the Lacon Sparland United Methodist Church. Joe will be terribly missed by his family.
Joe is survived by his wife, Josephine; daughter, Jill (Cliff) Spencer of East Peoria; sons, Joe David (Cheryl) Cannon of Mesa, AZ, Jeffrey (Jamie) Cannon of Mesa, AZ, and James Gregory (Julie) Cannon of Renton, WA; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Jonathan; and brothers, Lester and Paul.
Funeral services will be held at the Lacon Sparland United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 22, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., and one hour prior to services on Thursday. Burial will be in the Lacon Cemetery and, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to his church or Illinois College.
Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joe Cannon
Sponsored by Lenz Memorial Home - Lacon.
Barb and Dean Bordeaux
June 28, 2017
Joe Cannon Family:
Please accept our sincere sympathy for you at this time of Joe's death. Joe was a classmate at the U of I College of Medicine. Encounters with him were always positive and a bright spot in the day. Our prayer and petition to God is for Him to provide His Peace and Strength to you at this time. Certainly it is at a time such as this that our personal faith in Jesus Christ is the power that sustains during the dark hour.
BONNIE ALLEN
June 24, 2017
Dr Cannon was our family Dr, my mother, Marjorie Hickey especially loved going to him because they shared so many of the same views on politics.Some times I think she made him late for some of his other patients,he was definitely a very caring and special person who will be missed.
Bethany Kapechuk
June 20, 2017
He was a great neighbor and man. I was blessed to have him in our lives. Prayers to his family, he will be greatly missed.
Jim & Linda Feurer
June 20, 2017
We will never forget him. He and Dr. Swearingen were our family doctors when we came to Lacon in 67.
I had many great conversations with him. Especially about his fighter pilot missions in WW 2.
72 Missions. Wow! A true hero. Now he is on a mission with God.
RIP my old friend.
Jim and Linda Feurer www.animaljimracing.com
Dave Petersen
June 20, 2017
Dr Cannon was my doctor back in the 60's and 70's. He was always down-to-earth and personalble. My condolences to his family.
Tim Doyle
June 19, 2017
I hadn't seen Dr. Cannon in YEARS, but I always remember his kindness when I was a child. The world of healthcare needs more Dr. Cannons. My condolences to the Cannon family.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in Joe Cannon's name
Memorial Events
for Joe Cannon
How to support Joe's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Joe Cannon's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
