Joseph James Santercier

Joseph J. Santercier, age 83, went home to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ August 13, 2025. Joseph was born on June 12, 1942 in Chicago, IIIinois and was preceded in death by his parents, Rocco R. and Dorothy J. Santercier (nee Gannon). Joseph married Jo Ann Looby, the love of his life, on November 6, 1970. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, their daughter, Jill Anne Santercier, son-in-law, Mark Root, grandchildren, Hannah and Gannon. He graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1960 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in a Seabee Unit, having served six years and was on active duty in Cuba, Bermuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands from 1961-1963, in Mobile Construction Battalion, NMCB8. He attended Wright Jr. College and Southern Illinois University, graduating in 1969 with a BA in Sociology. While at SIU, he was one of the founding members and first president of the Veterans Corporation SIU founded in 1966. This organization was established on campus by veterans to help assist new arriving veterans, many returning from Vietnam. In 1970, Joseph joined the Illinois Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent. In 1977, the IBI was merged with the Illinois State Police and Joseph retired in 1993 as an Investigative Sergeant. During his service he was one of the founding members of the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association, the Midwest Gang Investigators Association and the Midwest Cycle Intelligence Organization. He was an active trainer and instructor during his law enforcement career, receiving numerous awards and training in the U.S. and Canada. In 1993 he was a Bicycle Patrol Officer for Kane County Forest Preserve Police. In 1997, was hired as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst for the Illinois State Police, in Elgin, for the Northern Illinois Resource Support Center. In 2001, Joseph joined the Northeast Multi-Regional Training, Inc., as a Program Manager and retired in 2015. Joseph was a life-time member of Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #41 and the Midwest Gangs Investigators Association, Joseph attended Fox Valley Church.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 1-5pm at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee-Huntley Rd, Huntley, Illinois. A second visitation will be on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 10am-11am with a service at 11am at the funeral home. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to: Compassion International
Colorado Springs, CO 80997 https://www.compassion.com/donate-to-charity.htm
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com