Joseph S. Flaherty, age 82, a former longtime resident of Winfield, IL, and currently of Geneva, IL, died Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at home. He was born August 3, 1935 in Decatur, IL.

Joe was raised in rural Assumption, IL, south of Decatur. He served in the US Navy as a Dental Technician for four years during the Korean conflict. After an honorable discharge, he worked for the Pet Milk Co. and Folgers Coffee while living in Kansas City. It was here that a roommate and his fiancée introduced him to Elise Welter of Boston, whereupon he moved "back east to be with his little Elise." They were married August 22, 1959.

Joe's early sales career was primarily in the label business, moving to Winfield from Los Angeles in 1965 while with the Meyercord Co. Eventually through volunteer parole work and as a Police Commissioner in Winfield, Joe became a marketing and training executive with Becton Dickinson Public Safety, where he worked with law enforcement agencies around the world in the field of narcotics detection and interdiction.

While Joe found tremendous fulfillment in being part of the "war on drugs", his real passion was music. Although he could not read music very well, he had the gift of being able to play several instruments "by ear." He plied his skill as an organist at St. John the Baptist for several years, also serving as a lector and Church Council President with Elise. Joe learned to play the piano as a child by watching his sisters. He could also play the harmonica, accordion, ukulele and tuba (Illinois State HS Champion). But his favorite instrument was the banjo, where he would strum a tune and then stop to tell a story like they used to do on "Hee Haw," who may have stolen this from him. Apparently these talents were not inherited by his children!

Joe also enjoyed singing, and man could he sing! He participated in a production of "The Messiah" at Wheaton College in the mid – 70's, as member of the United Methodist Chuch of Winfield Choir as well as many weddings, just to name a few. His musical interests ranged from Glen Campbell to Jesus Christ Superstar and Fiddler on the Roof.

Even on his death bed, he enjoyed listening to the Strada String Trio CD that Mike and Wendy brought him from their River Cruise in Germany this summer.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elise; four children, Michael (Wendy) of Winfield, IL, Suzanne (Jeff) Ramirez of Maple Park, IL, John (Maureen) of Lombard, IL and Brian Flaherty of St. Charles, MO; four grandchildren, Emily Flaherty, Steven Flaherty, Lauren Flaherty and Ryan Flaherty; his sister, Joanne Vilmure of Tampa, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jennifer Flaherty; his sister, Mary Donna Hart; and his brother, Donald David Jr.; and his parents, Donald David Sr. and Flora Ann Flaherty.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church , 0S233 Church Street, in Winfield, IL. Interment will be private at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the American Cancer Society , 1801 S. Meyers Rd., Ste. #100, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181; or to Disabled American Veterans , PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301; or to Wayside Cross Ministries , 215 E. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60505-3491.