Joseph L. Kells

Joseph Leroy Kells, age 42, of Valley City Illinois passed away unexpectedly Monday February 28, 2022.  He was born July 14th, 1979 at Illini hospital in Pittsfield, Illinois, the son of Stephen and Linda Kells. Joe and his dad were inseparable fishing buddies and worked together for almost 20 years. He was both a daddy and a momma’s boy. He adored his meemaw very much.

Joe graduated from Griggsville-Perry High school in 1998. He was known in high school for his powder blue ford truck with tug boat horns that were mounted on the cab of his truck and the two large flags he had waving from the truck bed.

Joe lived his whole life in Valley City, near the Illinois River where he loved to spend most of his time fishing, four wheeling, mowing, & mushrooming. He spent most of his time outside. Even as a kid and an adult, Joe was not afraid to get muddy. His favorite things to do were spending time with his friends and family & his girlfriend Ann, doing yardwork, landscaping, clearing brush making his yard look beautiful, or spending the weekend road tripping finding out what bar/restaurant made the best bloody Mary. Joe cherished living close to his mom and his sister. He took his duties of looking after his family very seriously and was a very proud big brother.  Joe worked as a forklift operator at JBS for over 20 years and was currently working for his brother-in-law's business Two Rivers Plumbing.

Most of all Joe loved fireworks! His annual fireworks shows around the 4th of July and his birthday were the best around! To some he was known as Pyro Joe, but to those closest to him he was known as “Joeboy”. He lived in the moment and was always up for anything. He always wanted to make as many memories as he could with his friends and family. Whether it was a concert, fishing trip, camping trip, boat ride or sitting by a bonfire passing around a good bottle of bourbon, Joe was always “game for whatever”. He lived life and had fun! He loved unconditionally and had a unique smile that could brighten anyone’s day or mood. He was always a prankster and had a knack for getting a rouse out everyone. He did not like to see anyone in a bad mood or being grouchy. He will be missed immensely by his friends and family, as he is one of a kind and will forever be remembered for the love and the life he shared with them.

He is survived by his partner of several years Ann Thomas, his mother Linda Kells, sister Stephanie & Brandon Hobson, nieces Logan and Emma Hobson, many cousins and aunts and uncles.

He was proceeded in death by his grandparents Ellen & Orville Westfall, Lillie & Earl Kells, his father Stephen Kells and a sister Heather Kells.

Visitation will be held Monday March 7th from 4-7pm at Neibur Funeral home in Pittsfield Illinois. Funeral Services will be Tuesday March 8th at 2:00pm and interment will follow at Griggsville Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to be made to the family c/o Niebur Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be left to his family at www.nieburfh.com.  Niebur Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

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