Joe Edward Suggs, Sr. age 85, of O'Fallon, Ill., passed away peacefully February 23, 2023, at his home with his wife Bonnie and family at his side.

Joe was born in St. Louis, July 14, 1937 and graduated in the Class of 1955 from East Side H.S. He joined the US Navy in 1955 and served in the blimp division, Heavy Attack Squadron Seven (VAH-7). After working on the Mercury space program at Boeing , he became a switchman for the Wabash and Alton and Southern Railroads. Upon retiring from the railroad, his hobby became a business which he shared with Bonnie – BonJo's Refinishing and Upholstery. His second retirement came 5 years ago which helped him enjoy time with family. Joe's faith and his church family were special to him and he had been a longtime member at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church. He was also a member of UTU 1929, 32 ^nd degree Mason, Gothic Lodge No. 852, and Shriner of Ainad Temple of East St. Louis. Joe maintained friendships with several classmates, all the way back from elementary school days, and would meet on a regular basis for breakfast outings.

Mr. Suggs was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Goldie (nee Gannon) Suggs, sisters Patty Suggs and Betty Johnson, brothers Raymond Suggs and Michael Suggs, and children Barnabas "Barney" Suggs and Melissa Suggs.

Joe is survived by his wife, Bonnie (nee Allison) Suggs, whom he married November 15, 1968; his children Jennifer Shofner, of Swansea, Ill., Jo Ann (William) Treakle, of Troy, Ill., Joe (Deirdre Tate) Suggs, Jr., of O'Fallon, Ill., and Deborah (Paul) Boughner of Bridgman, Mich., grandchildren Melissa McMichael, Chad (Amanda) McMichael, Christopher (Amanda) Mertz, James (Rebecca) Treakle, Bradley (April) Treakle, Timothy (Emily) Mertz, Joe (Tammy) Suggs, III, Jacob Suggs, Allison (Charles) Rumley, Madeline (Blake) Wrege, Kayla (Dean) Barnes, SarahRose (Jonah) Stanage, Rebecca Boughner, Emma Boughner, & Victoria Boughner; great-grandchildren Andrew McMichael, Owen McMichael, Sylvia McMichael, Olyver McMichael, Madalyn Main, Alaina Mertz, Audrey Mertz, Hannah Treakle, Liam Treakle, Jordyn Treakle, Lincoln Treakle, Corbin Treakle, Daphne Treakle, David Mertz, Connor Suggs, Oliver Suggs, Natalie Rumley, Nicholas Rumley, Ryan Rumley, Jason Rumley, Beck Stanage, Caspian Stanage, his dog Muffin, and many friends.

The family would like to express their gratefulness for all of the loving care received by HSHS Hospice and the St. Elizabeth's Hospital nursing staff in O'Fallon. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital or to American Cancer Society .

Visitation: Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, IL, 62269.  The Masonic Gothic Lodge will conduct a service at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Funeral service: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, 504 E Hwy 50, O'Fallon, IL 62269 with Revs. Brad Lewis and Joel Catlin, officiating.  Military honors will be rendered.