Joel Wilcoxen

Joel Wilcoxen, age 67, a resident of Downers Grove, IL passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born May 22, 1958 in Peoria, IL to Robert & Shirley Wilcoxen.
Joel was raised in Washington Illinois, the sixth of ten children. He grew up on Happy Acres, a farm named after the Happy Acres devotional book that reflected the family's faith and grounded values. Joel spent many days and years working around the farm with his siblings, developing his hard work ethic, discipline, and leadership. He loved spending time with his siblings, whether it was working around the farm, or getting a delicious Root Beer Float from A&W Root Beer. Joel had ambitions early on and was fully willing to put in the work needed to achieve his goals. As a clear example, he won the Morton Invitational Wrestling Tournament, a victory forged from the grit to outwork his opponents and never give up.
Joel's ambitions and successes were only getting started as he began to spread his wings and take flight as a young adult. He earned a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and later went on to earn an MBA from Bradley University. Joel also got started with his family and lineage having two amazing daughters, Laura and Katie. Being so young with two children was not easy, but Joel always found a way to pull through and be there for his daughters as he had done with his siblings before.
Over the years Joel continued to soar as his work ethic and ambition pushed him along in his career. His kind, helpful, and reassuring demeanor made him a favorite to many in the workplace, earning him the nickname "Wingman." He was able to bring a certain calm to others that gave them confidence that everything would be okay. Throughout the years he created lifelong friendships, some of which followed across jobs, states, and nations.
Despite already achieving so much and helping so many, Joel wasn't done yet. His third child was born, named after Bradley University and the third gospel Luke. Joel was always there for his son, supporting him and watching him grow with the same love and care he had for all his parents, siblings, daughters, and colleagues. Joel's love extended past generations as he cherished his grandchildren, seeing them grow was one of his greatest joys. He always found a way to go one step further for the people he cared about. Joel served as a mentor and father figure to more than just his children; he shared a close bond with many of his son's closest friends. Even after becoming an empty nester, he found ways to serve others, and help them grow spiritually, professionally, and personally.
Helping others came as natural to him as breathing. Most recently he dedicated time to giving back to university students. He established the Shirley A. Wilcoxen Annual scholarship in honor of his mother at Bradley University for Nursing Majors and supported international students at NIU. Most of these students come from the same country his wife is originally from, showing that his impact went well beyond any borders on a map. Joel supported his Wife's passions, interests, and goals with complete devotion. Along with helping family, friends, and students, he also was active in his church, serving their Garden Club.
Joel Wilcoxen was a man of faith, expressed not just in words but in action and service. He was the kind of man to step up and fill in wherever he was needed, whether for friends, family, or strangers. Through his personal and professional life, he was able to impact hundreds of people. Like a droplet of water, he was subtle and gentle, but the ripple of his life is felt miles away and only grows greater with time.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Anjanie; his children Laura (Jason) Keller, Katie (Heath) Astrike & Bradley "Luke" Wilcoxen; his grandchildren Michael & Kaleb Keller, Kayla "Jade" Organ, and Zachariah & Ezra Astrike; his siblings Gayle (Bruce) Barrington, Cheryl (Ron) Kinczyk, Jerey (Ed) Baker, Tim (Donna) Wilcoxen, Faythe (Ron) Hake, Matt (Debbie) Wilcoxen, Hope (Harry) Lemke, David (Sindy) Wilcoxen & Angela (Buddy) Gaston. Also survived by many nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle, IL 60532, where a funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Oak Crest Cemetery in Downers Grove, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Joel's honor to the following causes:
-Joel Wilcoxen NIU Steelband Scholarship (donation link coming soon)
-The Trinity Lutheran Church Kimberly Way Garden Club (630-964-1272)