Joe Alvin Wells

Joe Alvin Wells, 88, of Metamora, IL, formerly of Peoria, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2023, surrounded by his family.

He was born on October 6, 1935 in Hamletsburg, Illinois, the son of Bertrand P. and Edith M. (Lillie) Wells. He married Louise Noack on June 21, 1958 in Peoria, and they enjoyed over 65 years together.

Surviving are his wife, Louise of Metamora; son, Michael Wells of Chandler, AZ; daughter, Michele (the late Jeffrey) Callaway of Germantown Hills; grandchildren, Megan (James) Weekley, Caitlin (Lee) Cleary, and Kirsten Callaway; great-grandchildren, Lillie Weekley, Henry Joe Weekley, and Quinn Cleary; sister, Sheila (Boyd) Kilpatrick of Bartonville, IL; brother-in-law, Richard Pauli; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, James Pylant, son-in-law, Jeffrey Callaway, two sisters, Donna Pauli and Doris Jorgenson, and brother-in-law, James Jorgenson.

Joe eagerly enlisted in the Navy at age 17 in 1952. Joe served as a radar operator while circumnavigating The Mediterranean Sea until his discharge in 1956.  Subsequently, Joe began working at Western Electric, for whom he worked until 1992.  If you lived in the Peoria area from the 1960's through the 1980's and your landline phone worked properly, give Joe the credit for running, maintaining, and upgrading the local telephone offices. 

Joe took pride in his abilities, gladly lending a hand for friends and relatives in sheet metal, mechanics, painting, building, masonry, concrete, electrical, furniture refinishing, welding, and other handyman services. Joe enjoyed working on his 1929 Ford Model-A, to keep it working as it did the day that it rolled off the factory floor.

Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Joe was an adoring patriarch for the family.

Per Joe’s request, a private family graveside service will be held in Oakwood Cemetery in Metamora. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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