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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Joseph Ray
Small
November 11, 1941 – March 18, 2018
Obituary
Joseph Ray Small, 76 of Strawn, passed away at 7:50 pm, Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Gibson Area Hospital, Gibson City.
Cremation rites have been accorded with a memorial service at 11 am, Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury; with Pastor Dan Robertson officiating. Visitation will be 9 to 10:45 am prior to service on Saturday also at the Presbyterian Church in Fairbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury or the Forrest American Legion, J.A. Folwell Post #174. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of services.
Mr. Small was born November 11, 1941 in Arrowsmith, the son of Milo and Merle (Burns) Small. He married Patricia Kay Maher on June 15, 1967 in Bloomington. His wife Patricia survives in Strawn. The Small's celebrated their 50 th Wedding anniversary this past June at the Strawn Firehouse.
Other survivors include one daughter, Michele O'Shea of Macomb, MI; two sons, Daniel (Jennifer) Small of Strawn; Scott (Carrie) Small of Fairbury; seven grandchildren, Amber O'Shea, Erin O'Shea, Michael (Jamie) O'Shea, Katelyn (Chris) Jenkins, Kaleigh Small, Sophie Small and Morgan Small, four great grandchildren, Kaidyn, Sullivan, Shaelyn and Rylee O'Shea and numerous nieces and nephews.
His parents, three brothers, Bill, Jim and Jerry Small, one son in-law, Michael O'Shea and two grandchildren, Karleigh and Cory Small preceded him in death.
Joe was a 1960 graduate of Octavia High School. He served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1964 during the Cuban Crisis. He later was employed by General Telephone, Bloomington; retiring in 1995. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury and served in the church choir for many years. Joe was also a member of the J.A. Folwell, Post #174 American Legion in Forrest; the Fairbury V.F.W. Post #9789 and Am Vets of Colfax.Services
Visitation
First Presbyterian Church
9:00 - 10:45 am
Memorial Service
First Presbyterian Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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