Joseph C. Eling, 88, of Quincy, died Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 1:35 pm at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, surrounded by his family.
Joe was born March 2, 1935, in Quincy, a son of Joseph C. and Angela L. Horbelt Eling. He married Mary C. Hilbing on September 17, 1960 in St. Boniface Catholic Church in Quincy. She survives.

Joe attended St. Francis Solanus Grade School and graduated from Quincy High School in 1953.

He was a member of the Illinois National Guard.

Joe was a union plumber for 45 years, working 35 years for E. A. Wand Plumbing and Heating Company. He then worked 10 years as a plumber for the Illinois Veterans Home, retiring in 1999.

He was a member of St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and was a member of “Austin’s Army”. He was a former member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where he was a member of the “Over the Hill Gang”, and was an usher.

Joe was a skilled handy man. He loved woodworking and made many beautiful pieces over the years. These included six Heritage Rocking Horses, which he made for the grandchildren. He also made a cedar chest, toy boxes, baby cradles, and doll cradles and many other items. He also enjoyed being outside and working in the yard, where he could often be found on a beautiful day. Joe enjoyed family camping trips when the children were young.

Joe and Mary loved to walk and take hikes. They especially enjoyed hiking in the mountains during their trips to the Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park, the Canadian Rockies, and the Alps in Switzerland.

Joe is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 62 years; six children: Tim (Becky) of Quincy, Tom (Carol) of Milwaukee, WI; Marsha Huber (Bruce), Paul, Mike (Carla), and Steve, all of Quincy. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, Cory Eling (Megan), of Marine Il, Kelsey Ott (Joseph) , Connor Eling (Cristina) all of Quincy, Dan Eling of Seattle WA, Zach Eling (Brandy) of Denver CO, Luke Russell (Keisha) of Jacksonville FL, Taylor Dierker (Koda) of Jacksonville IL, Michaela and Angela Huber of Quincy, Eric Eling of Royal Oak MI, Sean Eling of St. Louis MO, and Ben and Will Eling of Quincy; 8 great grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Carol Wehmeyer of Griggsville IL, and two sisters-in-law, Sister Judith Hilbing. O.P. and Sister Judine Hilbing, O.P. of Chicago, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law, Robert Wehmeyer and Jack Hilbing.

FUNERAL SERVICES: Monday, July 3, 2023, beginning with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church by Rev. Steven Arisman.
INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery. VISITATION: Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh.
MEMORIALS: St. Francis Solanus Church, Quincy Notre Dame, or The Foose Center at Good Samaritan Nursing Home.