Joe E. Boyd

Joe E. Boyd, 87, of Anna, died Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, at the Integrity Healthcare in Anna.

He was born on June 18, 1930, in Cobden, the son of Claud and Mary Sansom Boyd.

He married D. Katherine Dusch on Aug. 28, 1948, in Piggott, Ark.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Katherine Boyd of Anna; a daughter, Jenifer (Dwayne) Fields of Carterville; a daughter-in-law, Trena Boyd of Auburn, Neb.; six grandchildren, Julie Fields Stock, Mark (Dani) Fields, Beth Ann Fields, Kimberly Boyd, Sheryl (Tim) Thiele and Andrew Boyd; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Emily Boyd Meyer of Cobden; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeffrey W. “Jeff” Boyd; an infant sister, Virginia Ruth Boyd; a brother, Robert “Gene” Boyd; and a sister, Martha Sue Casper.

He was a member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Jonesboro. He retired from the State of Illinois, working many years as a meat inspector, and also worked in fruit farming.

He loved to hunt and fish and spend time with his friends at deer camp. He was a skilled craftsman in metal and woodworking. He would craft extraordinary pieces from recycled material, also making wooden toys and puppets that he would give to his family and others. Spending time with his grandchildren was very important to him.

Funeral services for Mr. Boyd were at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with Bill Littrell officiating. Interment was in the Anna Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.