Joseph R. Pillard
October 26, 2017Share using:
Joseph Richard Pillard, 66, of Dubuque, IA passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on October 26th, 2017 at home.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with Rev. Gabriel Anderson officiating. Entombment will be at a later date in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 31st, 2017 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory.
Joe was born on February 20th, 1951 in Dubuque, the son of Delbert and Rita (Schmitt) Pillard. He graduated from Wahlert High School Class of 1969; received his B.A. in Finance from University of Iowa in 1973. He married Sheila Kearney on June 1, 1973 at St. Joseph’s Parish, Key West, IA
He worked for Dubuque County Courthouse Auditor’s Office for 3 years; Interstate Power/Alliant Energy for 20+ years, and Mercy Pharmacy and Hartig Drug.
Joe was past board member of Alliant Credit Union; and past board member of Parent Association at St. Joseph the Worker School. Joe also coached Independent League baseball in Dubuque.
Joe lived a full and fulfilling life. He loved his family and adored his children and grandchildren. Joe is a Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and played baseball for the Key West Prairie League team and the Dubuque Blues as a young man, which led to many lifelong friendships. Joe was also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeyes. After a yearlong struggle against the idea of the Chicago Cubs being World Champions, Joe’s heart could take no more.
He is survived by his father Delbert Pillard; wife Sheila (Kearney) Pillard; daughters Amy (Mike) Studier and Anne (Mark) Trocinski; Sons Jim Pillard and Ted Pillard; grandchildren Charlie, Mitchell, Madeline Studier and Henry Trocinski; Sister Laura (Terry) Dement and Avery; Brother Brian (Jennifer) Pillard and Ben, Zach, and Nick (Julie) Pillard and Harper; Aunt Mable Schmitt; Brothers and sisters in law: Allan (Vickie) Kearney, Linda Gernes, Jan Kearney-Wheeler, Colleen Kirkwood, Donna Beaman, Mary Beth (Pat) Willenbring, Sherri (Rick) Treanor, Kevin (Lisa) Kearney, Joyce (Chuck) Pastene, Joe Kearney, Terry (Angie) Kearney, and Jeff (Karla) Kearney and their families; and longtime friends Jim and Jacquie Roth.
Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents Louis & Mary Pillard and Jacob & Bertha Schmitt; Mother Rita (Schmitt) Pillard; Mother and Father-in-law Donald & Marian Kearney, Aunt Lucille Pillard, Uncles Vince Schmitt and Albert Schmitt, Uncle and Aunt Melvin and Marian Schmitt, Brother in law Fred Gernes, Nephew Blane Anderson, and Robert Pillard, a brother who died in infancy.
