Joe Lopez

Family Submitted:
Joe Lopez, 70, left this life to be with his Lord Jesus on June 15th, 2024, surrounded by his family, along with his numerous friends that were able to say good bye in the weeks leading up to his departure.
He was born in La Grange, Texas, on November 8, 1953, the second of 12 children born to Jose Lopez and Suzanne Moody. He attended school in Momence, IL, and spent most of his career in the Kankakee area where he married Donna Johnson, his beloved wife of nearly 40 years. They spent the past few years enjoying time with family & friends during retirement at their lake home in Kingman, Indiana.
He was most known for his friendly and inviting personality. He taught his kids the importance of hard work while at the same time teaching them to find ways to help others. Anyone that crossed paths with Joe was immediately treated like family and offered food, a seat at the table or a chair around the fire pit to talk for hours.
He was always thinking of creative businesses, which also included a staffing company, People 4 U. He built up this company for nearly 30 years to provide countless people coaching & support for a second chance at employment.
Joe is survived by his wife Donna Lopez, his four kids Jim (Jessica) Lopez, Lorinda (Tony) Turner, Heather (Patrick) Lake, and Michelle (Trent) Norman.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren and two great grandchildren more than anything. Having them all around was his dream come true for retirement. He never passed up an opportunity to give them golf cart rides and to cruise the lake on his pontoon boat. Every weekend his lake house had grandkids around as he loved to teach them how to work, fish, cook and play. You could always count on him to have guacamole & fajitas ready for a visit while he shared his life lessons on never giving up, keep on fighting, just find a way, work hard and love Jesus.
Joe had a special bond with each of his 11 siblings that also included many of his nieces and nephews saying Joe was one of the best uncles. As soon as he would hear that anyone was coming for a visit, he would get to making guacamole, fajitas and pico de gallo. He was always ready to drop everything to help his family, even if it was just a 2-year-old in need of Grandpa time.
A Visitation Service to celebrate Joe's life will be held from 4-7pm on June 19th, 2024, at the Cotter Funeral Home in Momence IL. The following day, June 20th, 2024 at 11AM a Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cotter Funeral Home. Immediately following the Service Joe will be driven through Momence to continue his celebration of life.
Joe's legacy of loving his family & friends, spending time with his family & friends and caring for his family & friends will live on in all of those who knew him. He will be deeply missed but not forgotten."
Cremation rites will be accorded following services.