Joel M. Dexter, 61, of rural Schapville, IL, passed away suddenly on Friday, March 30, 2018 of an apparent heart attack due to possible inhalation of smoke from a controlled burn in rural Scales Mound, IL.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018 at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Schapville, with Rev. Mark Oehlert officiating. Burial will be in the Shepherd of the Hills Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at the Church. The Miller & Steinke Funeral Home of Scales Mound is in charge of arrangements.

Joel was born on March 28, 1957 at Watertown, WI, the son of Pastor John Paul and Shirley (Capper) Dexter. He was united in marriage to Deborah J. Zander on December 11, 1994.

Joel was a graduate of Scales Mound High School, class of 1975. He then graduated from Wartburg College. Joel lived the past 20 years at Urbana, IL, before recently moving to Schapville and purchasing his childhood home.

Joel was a member of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at Schapville. He retired from the Illinois State Geological Survey. From 1974-1980 Joel worked in Jo Daviess County as a hired farm and township road employee. He was a freelance photographer 1976-present; a volunteer at Camp New Hope for campers 8 years old and above with developmental physical disabilities, Mattoon, IL; a Principle News and Feature photographer for the Journal Gazette, Mattoon, IL, 1980-1988; a published author of photographic journal books: Galena and the Land that Time Forgot, 1993, Bob McElwee and Joel Dexter; For Everything There is a Season: The Land and People of Rural Illinois, 1994, Joel Dexter; scientific photographer at the ISGS, 1988-2008; Prairie Research Institute (home to five scientific surveys of the state of Illinois including IL Natural History, IL State Archaeological, IL State Geological, IL State Water, IL Sustainable Technology) photographer and assistant under Director and Founder, 2012-2016.

Joel was a “social butterfly,” who loved taking pictures, talking and visiting with people. His mentor in photography was Archie Lieberman. He loved music and shared his musical ability on his guitar, playing and singing at church.

Surviving are his wife, Deborah “Debbie,” his mother, Shirley (Gary) Lane, three brothers, Jeff Dexter, Josh (Jane) Dexter, and Jay (Linda) Dexter; three nieces, Carlie (Zach) Dexter, Casey (James) McCartney, and Jessica (Jared) Grant; grand nephews, Coy and Hunter and another on the way; sister-in-law, Victoria (Edward) Zander and their son, Robert (Kelsey) Zander; and several aunts and uncles; and a very close friend, Esther Lieberman.

He was preceded in death by his father, Pastor John Paul Dexter, infant daughter, Elizabeth Anne Dexter, and his in-laws, Robert L. and Betty P. Zander.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.