Joseph “Joe” William Offerman, 92 of Galena, IL, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Midwest Medical Center, Galena. Joe’s life was filled with love, laughter, and an impressive collection of Dad Jokes. A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Galena, where friends may gather after 10 AM until the time of mass. Burial will be held at a later date. Military honors will be accorded by Galena VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193 immediately following the mass. The Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena is assisting the family. He was born on March 22, 1933, in Chicago, IL, the son of Eugene and Agnes (Brierty) Offerman.
Joe grew up during the Depression as one of seven siblings. This likely explains his lifelong love of food and his commitment to always cleaning his plate. He graduated from Old Saint Patrick High School and Northern Illinois University, served two years in the United States Navy, where he traveled to dozens of countries, and later earned a master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University while teaching and raising a family. Joe taught at Wells High School in Chicago for 30 years, where he also met his beautiful bride, Joan Gallis.
Joe and Joan were married on February 16, 1963, at St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Chicago. They had two wonderful children and put down roots in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago, where they lived for the next thirty years on Parkside, sharing neighbors’ homes, being in community at events, and attending church basement parties for every occasion.
Joe took his family on semi-annual road trips to northern Wisconsin in the summer and to Michigan in the winter. He played sixteen-inch softball, showed off his thespian side in Saint Cornelius parish plays, and belonged to the Holy Name Society.
After retiring, Joe and Joan built a home in the Galena Territory, where they lived for almost another thirty years and made many wonderful friends throughout the territory. With their friends, they golfed, enjoyed group parties at one another’s homes, and had friendship moments over coffee and beers. Beyond retirement, Joe worked at the territory fitness center and the golf course, where he kept busy, earned a paycheck, and received a substantial discount off the golfing fees – Joe loved a substantial discount.
Joe was a devoted husband, loving father, caring brother, fun uncle, and treasured friend. His greatest joys were his family, a tasty beer, and pizza from Paternos.
Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan; his daughter, Mary (Kelly); and his son, John. He is also survived by his sister, Frances “Fran” O’Keefe, and his brother, Vincent “Vin”. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews who had better cherish his memory. Joe is also survived by Marilyn Monroe “Cat” Offerman.
He is preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings Eugene “Gene”, Marianne (Keyzer), Margaret “Peggy” (Leman), and Kathleen “Kathy” (Whiting).
Donations may be made in Joe’s name to Safe Haven Humane Society in Elizabeth, IL, where Joe and Joan adopted many beloved cats.
My sincere condolences my friend. If there’s anything I can do to help you through please just call me and I’ll come running.
Joe’s Subway family is very sorry for your loss. We loved seeing Joe and will cherish our memories with him. He was truly one of our favorite customers.
Joe was a kind and funny man and I was fortunate to call him my friend. I miss him already.
My condolences to my good friend, Joan and their loving children, Mary and John.
Rest in peace my friend. You have made it through the goalposts.
Love and prayers,
Anne Horbach
Rest in peace, Joe, knowing you have left us with so many great memories from when we’re kids & through your adult life. You will be missed.
Love you,
Fran
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your father, Joe Offerman. I attended Wells High School 1961-64, graduating from there. I was never in any of his classes but knew him as a respected teacher. I did have classes with Joan Gallis (before she married your dad) and remember when she and your father became engaged. I was so happy for them. Glad they had long and happy marriage. ❤️
Distance and time have a way of making you realize how special certain people were in your life. Uncle Joe was one of those people for me. Even though I didn’t get to see him nearly enough after moving to Los Angeles 35 years ago, my memories of him are full of warmth and joy.
One of those memories from when I was a kid says it all — a big family Christmas, all the Offermans and cousins together, and at some point Uncle Joe quietly peeled a bow off one of the gifts, planted it on his bald forehead, and smiled that big smile. That was him.
I’m so grateful for the time we shared when he, Aunt Joan, and Aunt Fran visited and stayed with me, my kids, and my sister in Los Angeles — good beer, good pizza, family around the table, and lots of love and laughter. That’s how I’ll always remember him.
Sending love to Aunt Joan, Mary, John, and everyone who loved him.
I have a feeling he’s already found a bow to wear wherever he is.
Joan And Family, Grateful to have met Joe & Joan. Very kind warm humorous, My Deepest Sympathy. Tom Griffin
Diane Montague and all Wells high alumni. Joe Offerman was a terrific teacher at Wells, working mostly in the business education department and he was also involved in the work study program. He was a good friend/colleague to many of his fellow teachers. I recall spending fifth period lunch with him for many years. A gentleman, very knowledgeable and appreciated by many of his students. May he rest in eternal peace. My heart goes out to the Offerman family.
My deepest condolences to Joan and the Offerman family. I had the pleasure of being a colleague of Joe’s at Wells H.S. during my first 8 years (67-75) as a CPS teacher.
There were 8-10 of us that would gather at a table in the teacher’s lunch room, almost every morning, for coffee, smokes, and jokes, before classes. I have fond memories of a great guy and highly respected teacher.
Rest in Paradise Amen
I believe he was my Tying Teacher ?? In Wells High school my Deepest condolences
Joe was my big brother, a wonderful brother, and a terrific role model. He was 12 years older than me and I looked up to him. I saw that teaching high School was good for him and so I also became a high school teacher. I remember Joe coming home from college at the holidays and we would throw the football around and play darts and laugh. He was a good father and was very good-hearted and we will all miss him tremendously.