C. Joseph Cavanagh, 81, of Springfield, died at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Bruns House in Alamo, CA.

Joe was born on September 24, 1932 in Jacksonville, IL, the son of Thomas Edward and Agnes Kane Cavanagh.  He married Sandy Spenceley on September 3, 1959 in Washington, DC.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William K. Cavanagh, Sr. and Thomas Edward Cavanagh.

Joe attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Springfield High School.  He was a graduate of Georgetown University College in 1955 and Law School in 1960, in Washington, D.C. Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, and was a special agent of the Army counter intelligence corps. He was a member of the Illinois State and Sangamon County Bar Associations and Knights of Columbus Council #364.  Joe practiced law as an assistant State’s Attorney and Public Defender.  As a private practioner, he officed with his brother William K. Cavanagh, ran and was elected Sangamon County State’s Attorney and served two terms.  He was elected and proudly served as a Resident Circuit Judge for Sangamon County, serving for a time as Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit.    

He is survived by his wife, Sandy of Springfield; two sons, C. Joseph Cavanagh, Jr (wife, Elizabeth) of Danville, CA and Peter Cavanagh (wife, Kristin) of Springfield; five daughters, Jane Miller (husband, Steve), Mary Pat Cavanagh (husband, Dave Dusold), Ann Healy (husband, Tim), all of Springfield, Dr. Elizabeth Cavanagh of Rock Hill, MO and Alisande Rapps (husband, Paul) of Geneseo, IL; twenty grandchildren, Keeley, Lisa, Peter, Joe, and Sarah Miller, C.J., Nicole and Grant Cavanagh, Kate, Jack and Mary Helen Healy, Becca, Drew, Colby, Ali, Jake and Lizzie Rapps, Daniel, Clare and Nieve Cavanagh; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Cavanagh of Springfield; two brothers-in-law, Dick Spenceley (wife, Mickey) of Wesley Chapel, FL and Ken Spenceley (wife, Maria) of St. Thomas, VI; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00- 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield.  Visitation will begin with a prayer services at 3:45 p.m.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. Jeff Grant, celebrant.

Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church or School, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield, IL 62704, St. Joseph’s Home, 3306 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL 62703, or St. Patrick School, 1800 S. Grand Ave., E., Springfield, IL 62703.

The family of C. Joseph Cavanagh is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences