Joseph E. McKillip, 92, of Galesburg, died peacefully at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice House in Peoria, Tuesday, July 28, 2020.
Joseph was born October 15, 1927 to Paul W. and Mary C. (O’Brien) McKillip. On May 5, 1956 he married Fannie Lewis at St. Patrick’s Church in Galesburg.
He graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1945, where he was class valedictorian. He was also played on the football team. After high school graduation he joined the US Navy during WWII. He was honorably discharged.
He spent 43 years working in the retail grocery business. He began with Benner Tea Company. The store was acquired by Giant Foods and later became Econo Foods. He truly enjoyed his work as well as greeting and helping customers. Joseph was widely known by the students of Silas Willard Elementary School as the man who passed out apples during the school’s annual Halloween parade around the block and past the store.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Robert, William, and Richard; daughter, Mary E. Watson; and daughter-in-law, Rachael McKillip.
He is survived by his wife; son-in-law, Keith (Amy) Watson Fredericksburg, TX; son, Francis McKillip, Galesburg; daughter, Theresa (Michael) Yoerger, Spokane, WA; and son, Patrick (Laura) McKillip, Davenport, IA.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Christopher and Brenda Watson, Greg (Marissa), Joel, and Brian McKillip, Ashely Yoerger, Kristi Lewis, Ann (Brian) Kingsbury, and Scott McKillip.
Graveside services for family and friends will be 1 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2020 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. No visitation is planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the OAKS Senior Center, 176 N. Farnham St., Galesburg, IL 61401, or the OSF Healthcare Foundation, 530 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria, IL 61637.
