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Visitation:
Sunday, April 13th from 2 p.m - 5 p.m. at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Mt. Pulaski,
with Masonic Services at 1:00 p.m.
Service:
Monday, April 14th at 10:30 a.m. at the First
Christian Church, Mt. Pulaski
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Mt. Pulaski
Obituary
Joseph Willard Lucas, 91, peacefully
passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Mt.
Pulaski. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 5:00
p.m. on Sunday, April 13th at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Mt. Pulaski,
with Masonic Services at 1:00 p.m. Funeral Services
will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 14th at the
First Christian Church, Mt. Pulaski, with Casey
McCormick officiating. Military Rites and burial
will follow in Steenbergen Cemetery.
Joe was born on August 6, 1933, in Mt. Pulaski, IL,
to parents Roy B. and Dorothy Marie (Shoultz) Lucas.
He graduated from Mt. Pulaski High School in 1951
and Iowa State University in 1955 with a B.S. in
Agricultural Economics. While at ISU, he was a
member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and
participated in ROTC.
Upon graduation, Joe was commissioned as a 2nd
Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He
attended flight training and received his wings as a
single engine jet pilot. After active duty, he
returned to Illinois and joined the 183rd Fighter
Wing of the Illinois National Guard in Springfield,
IL. He was called back into active duty during the
Berlin Wall Crisis and at various times of need
during his ILAirNG career. Joe served as the
Commander of the 170th Fighter Squadron before
retiring in 1977 with the rank of Colonel, after 22
years with the USAF and ILAirNG. During his years of
flying, Joe flew the T33, F84, F86, F105, and F4
aircraft. He was awarded the General Joseph E.
McElvain Memorial Trophy and named Pilot of the Year
for Illinois in 1968.
Joe married Frankie Jo (Jody) Stonecipher at
Williams Air Force Base, Chandler, AZ, on November
30, 1957. Together they farmed south of Mt. Pulaski
from 1960-1994 until retirement. Jody proceeded him
in death in December of 2013.
Surviving family includes his daughter, Diane
(Samuel) Millikin, Santa Clarita, CA, and his
grandchildren Matthew (Caroline) Millikin,
Vacaville, CA, and Danielle (Aaron) Charrier,
Fresno, CA. He is also survived by his brothers,
Caleb Lee (Pat) Lucas, Arlington, TX, and R. Leonard
(Martee) Lucas, Alton, IL. As well as many beloved
nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his
sister, Mary Ellen Acosta, and infant brother,
Charles Thomas Lucas. |
Joe was a member of the Mt. Pulaski
Christian Church, American Legion Post #447, Logan
County Extension Council, Lincoln Elks #914,
American Legion Council of Logan County, 40-8 #985,
and a charter member of the Mt. Pulaski Jaycees.
Additionally, he was a board member of the
Steenbergen Cemetery Association, Mt. Pulaski Grain
Company, First National Bank, and Capital Community
Bank of Springfield.
Joe started his Masonic career in Mt. Pulaski Lodge
#87, as a Master Mason. He then was a member of Mt.
Pulaski Chapter #121, Decatur Council #16, Mt.
Pulaski Commandery #39, Constantine #51, Southern
Illinois York Rite College #33, Valley of
Springfield Scottish Rite, 33rd Degree and Honorary
Member of the Supreme Council of the Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction, Ansar Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S and
Past Worthy Patron of Mt. Pulaski Eastern Star #466.
Within the organizations, he held many esteemed
positions and offices and received awards such as
the Knights Templar Cross of Honor, Knights of York
Cross of Honor, the Purple Cross of York, the Lyle
R. Melvin Distinguished Service Award of Illinois,
and the Knight of Ish Sodi. Joe was also a member of
numerous other appendant bodies of Masonic
organizations and served on the board for the Knight
Templar Home and the Sullivan Masonic Home.
Memorials: Shriner's Hospitals for Children,
American Legion Post #447, or First Christian Church
Mt. Pulaski.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Joseph
Willard Lucas
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