Joseph Lowder

Joseph RD Lowder, 51, of Canton, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Decatur, Illinois. He was born January 1, 1975, in Canton. Joe was taken far too soon. To know Joe was to love him. He was truly one of a kind—a character who could make just about anyone laugh with his crazy antics, silly outfits, off-the-wall behavior, horrible dad jokes, and, of course, his perfectly timed inappropriate comments. Joe was unapologetically Joe. He had a way of shifting the mood and lighting up a room simply by being there. Joe was a devoted father and husband and, later in life, an adoring grandfather. He was rarely without his sidekick, Braxtyn, by his side. Joe was also the kind of person who was always just a phone call away, ready to lend a hand to family, friends, or his community. Helping others was simply part of who he was. Joe married his beloved wife, Tricia Barr, on March 8, 2001, in Princeton, Illinois. Tricia preceded him in death on December 10, 2021. Joe is survived by his two cherished daughters, Jessica Lowder of Canton and Heidi Jo (Samuel Sondgeroth) Lowder of Mendota; and his beloved grandson, Braxtyn Lowder. He is also survived by his mother, Patricia (Mike) Rynd of Decatur; sister, Jenifer (Todd) Steder of Dixon; brother, Jamie Johnson of Nashville, TN; maternal grandmother, Hilda (the late Lester) Murphy Sr. of Canton, who helped raise him; Tricia’s grandparents, Ann (the late Robert) Cromwell; mother-in-law, Pam (Kevin) Rossler of Malden; father-in-law, Terry Barr of Mendota; brother-in-law, Dale (Jess Hess) Barr of Romeoville; and sister-in-law, Rachel (Cam) Wernentin of Davenport, Iowa. Joe had a unique and beautiful family dynamic, with family bonds that went far beyond traditional titles. He was blessed with uncles who were like brothers, Lester Murphy Jr. and Paul Cameron; an aunt who was like a sister, Kathleen Murphy; an aunt and uncle who were like another mom and dad, Brenda (the late Robert) Smith; cousins who were like sisters, Amy Smith, Kristina Cooper, and Samantha Meschke; and a special cousin, Ashley Edwards. Joe also leaves behind aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his father, Myrl (Peggy) Johnson; maternal grandparents, Robert (Vivian) Lowder; uncle, Bobby (Mary Jo) Lowder; aunt, Mary Murphy; and close friends, Ronnie Widger and Kenny Phipps. Joe loved his daughters more than anything, even if he would jokingly say they were the reason he had gray hairs by the time he was 30. But when you saw Joe, you usually saw Braxtyn not too far behind. Joe and Braxtyn were two peas in a pod. They could often be found fishing, hanging out at the fire station, or stopping at the gas station for their famous “Grandpa Sodas.” They were each other’s world and best friends, sharing a bond and love that will never be broken. Joe was a favorite at the local gas station, where he became known as “Fire Fighter Joe,” thanks in part to his daily uniform of a fire department T-shirt and a lime-green pager on his hip. Given the opportunity, he proudly dubbed himself “Department A-Hole”—the first opportunity he got. Joe had a knack for making memories wherever he went. He stole crowns from fair queens because, in his mind, he was clearly a pretty princess. He loved fishing and approached it as though he were the next Bassmaster, often sporting his signature cutoff shirt and sandals. He washed the fire trucks with such dedication that it could practically have been a full-time job at “Joe’s WeeWoo Car Wash.” He loved turkey shoots and had an uncanny ability to win raffles whenever given the chance, thanks to his seemingly ridiculous luck. Joe was a former Bureau County Fair Board member in Princeton, Illinois, where he dedicated 20 years to hard work, service, and, naturally, plenty of laughs. He also previously served as president of the Green River Saddle Club in Amboy, IL, giving several years to the club and creating countless memories filled with good times and summer fun. Joe also enjoyed poker and played in the Smoke’n Aces Poker League. His skill, wit, and competitive spirit earned him multiple top-three finishes and secured him a place in the 2026 Tournament of Champions in October 2026, where he had hoped to compete for a $10,000 seat entry to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Buckheart Fire Protection District before moving to the Copperas Creek Fire Department. There, he started as a firefighter and worked his way up to Lieutenant and eventually Assistant Fire Chief. Joe loved his brothers and sisters in red, many of whom became family to him over the years. The fire service was more than a job or volunteer position—it was a community he was proud to be part of. Joe worked for many years at ADM in Bushnell before recently transferring to ADM in Decatur. Joe leaves behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, friendships, service, and memories that will be shared for generations. He had a way of making himself unforgettable, whether you wanted him to or not. His laughter, his humor, his generosity, his stubbornness, his crazy antics, and his enormous heart will be deeply missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known him. Joe was unapologetically himself until the very end—and the world will be a little quieter without him in it. Cremation rites have been accorded per his wishes and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Copperas Creek Fire Department. In lieu of flowers please send cards to the funeral home. To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com