Joe W. Vann, III

                                                     Joe Vann, 63, of New Boston, IL, formerly of Mesquite, TX and many other lovely places, passed away on Thursday June 29th, 2017. He was born in California on November 16, 1953 to Donna (Snethen) Vann and Joe Vann Jr. He calls his home town Mesquite, TX, where he participated in marching band and graduated high school in 1972. He was a bull rider in his younger years before attending 1 year at Texas A & M, studying political science. In 1973, he joined the Army where he was sent to different countries as part of the Military Police and performing explosive ordinance disposal (EOD). After gaining the rank of Sergeant, he left the army in 1980 and continued to work with the US Navy as an EOD tech in California until 1998. He then relocated with his yorkies, Rupert and Roxanne, to New Boston, IL, and worked in EOD for the Rock Island Arsenal. This allowed him to travel around the country and always said you could tell he was good at his job because he still had all his fingers and toes. In 2006, he met the love of his life, Rebecca, after bonding over their love of old Victorian houses. He joined Rebecca in marriage on August 25, 2007. With their marriage, Joe gained two step children, Derek (with daughter-in-law China) and Kara. He officially adopted Kara in winter of 2009. Joe was blessed with a grandson, Parker, and a granddaughter, Lily, both of whom enjoyed getting money pulled out of their ears and any other magic tricks he knew. After retiring from the Arsenal with a combined 38 years of bomb disposal, he continued his love of music by joining a Jam Group in Muscatine, Iowa. He also started in Mercer County politics, joining the republican party first on the township level. Next, he was elected to the Mercer County Board, later being voted to chairman. He also enjoyed his “politicking” as he called it, working as Treasurer for the Mercer County Republican Party. Preceding him in death are his parents and brother Chris. He leaves behind his loving wife Rebecca; son Derek (China) Jacobs, and grandchildren Parker and Lily, of Vandalia, OH; daughter Kara (Charlie) Pepping of Moline, IL; sister Cheryl (Jack) Van Laar of Leon, IA; many nieces and nephews; and especially missed by his pets; Millie, Delilah, Gibbs, and Trinket. Visitation will be Thursday July 6th at Speer Funeral Home in Aledo, IL from 4-8pm, with funeral there on Friday July 7th at 11am and burial to follow at New Boston Cemetery. Donations can be made in his name to New Boston Fire and Rescue or Mercer County Republican Party.