Joseph W. Heyob

JOSEPH W. "JOE" HEYOB, age 60, passed away Saturday, November 20, 2010, at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, following a three month battle that broke his body but never his spirit. BORN: He was born July 4, 1950, in Geneva, IL, the son of Anthony and Jean (Turk) Heyob. EARLY YEARS:Joe grew up on the family dairy farm on Beith Rd. in Maple Park. He attended local schools and graduated from Kaneland High School in 1968. After graduation he left the farm to learn construction eventually becoming a general contractor building with his hands anything that was born of his imagination. MARRIAGE: Joe met his wife in Alabama when he visited a farm, complete with a catfish pond, with his Uncle Bud Turk and a few friends. Cindy McAdams caught the "Big One" that day and made sure he didn’t get away. They made it official when they were united in marriage on June 28, 1975 at Grace United Methodist Church in Maple Park. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life together on Elm St. in Maple Park for a time. A few years later they moved a few blocks to County Line Rd. where they spent the next 33 years making their house a home and raising their children Audrey and Dan. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Joe found that he loved working for himself and started his own construction business at 20 years old. He was the builder of people’s dreams which have stood the test of time and still bear the mark of his craftsmanship and dedication to detail. There was no one who worked harder; his hands calloused with the kind of work that builds character and a reputation for doing things right. There was only one way to do things and if you didn’t do it Joe’s way, you soon knew about it in no uncertain terms. LIFE NOTES: Joe was always busy but no matter how much work there was to be done, there was always time for his fishing trips to Canada. His yearly excursions would bring him to hundreds of lakes over the years, often finding lakes that had never been fished and even had one named for him, Heyob Lake. He was a sportsman at heart and hunting naturally followed fishing. Later in life, games caught his attention with Bags Tournaments along with games of Cribbage and Euchre. In addition to building houses, Joe built the best go-carts that were so fast, they garnered at times the attention of local police. His reputation was big, but his heart was even bigger. His love of family and friends stand stronger than the houses he built and will last for generations. SURVIVORS: He is survived by his loving wife Cindy;Two children:Audrey Heyob of Dwight, IL and Dan Heyob of Lakewood, CO;Nine siblings:David Heyob,Susan (Charles) Stanley, Karen (Michael) Signorella, Sandra (Thomas) Luhtala, Patricia (Vern) Hjelmberg, Michael (Chris) Heyob, Paul (Judy) Heyob, Charlie Heyob, his friend Amy and Kevin (Laura) Heyob;His mother-in-law, Dorothy McAdams, Father-in-law, Lloyd McAdams, Brothers and sister in-law: Julie (Randy) Little and Steve (Amy) McAdams;Many nieces, nephews and a countryside of friends. PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother Roger Heyob. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, November 26, 2010 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral to celebrate his life will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a time of visitation from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Saturday, November 27, also at the funeral home. Rev. Michael Massey, pastor of the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in DeKalb, will officiate and interment will follow at Gardener Cemetery. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Joe Heyob Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, November 26, 2010 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral to celebrate his life will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a time of visitation from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Saturday, November 27, also at the funeral home. Rev. Michael Massey, pastor of the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in DeKalb, will officiate.

Interment will follow at Gardener Cemetery.