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.