JOE PLACE, 63 of Pearl, IL passed away Friday, April 2, 2010 at his residence.  Born as Herschel Joseph Place on July 01, 1946 in Roodhouse, IL he was a son of William Herschel and Betty Lee Settles Place.  He married Valerie Jane Turnbaugh on February 21, 1969 in Mozier, IL and they were married for twenty- two years.

Joe was a heavy equipment operator for Local 965 in Springfield, IL.  He was an Army Vietnam veteran and an Army National Guard recruiter after returning from two deployments to Vietnam.  He was a graduate of Milton High School class of 1964 and enjoyed fishing, being with friends and family at the river, John Wayne movies, reading western novels and enjoyed his grandchildren and story telling.

Surviving is Joe’s companion and special friend, Winnie Fulmer Scott along with his children, Joe (Dana) Place of Jacksonville, IL, Jason (Jennifer) Place of Nebo, IL and Kelly (Charles) Kuhn of Golden Eagle, IL and seven grandchildren, Dareon, Marisa, Kaitlyn, Josie, Jesse, Jake, and Jack.

Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Allen (Tiffany Ellis, companion) Baldwin of Pittsfield, Danny Baldwin of Florence, IL, Elon (Jackie) Baldwin of Pittsfield, IL,  Margaret (John) Raftery of Barry, IL and Nan Magehe of New Canton, IL and brother-in-law Larry Moyer of Barry, IL.

His mother and his stepfather Maurice “Baldy” Baldwin who raised him, sister, Sue Moyer and brother- in- law John Megehe preceded him in death.

A memorial service will will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at the Independent Cornerstone Baptist Church in Milton with Pastor Glenna Pruitt officiating.  The Pittsfield American Legion Post #152 will hold military honors at the Independent Cornerstone Baptist Church prior to the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Vietnam Disabled Veterans Association, the Independent Cornerstone Baptist Church or the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.