Joseph R. “Joe” Brown, Jr. 68 of Troy, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 surrounded by his family and friends after a long battle with cancer. 

Joe was born on June 6, 1949 in Kansas City, Missouri; a son to the late Joseph Ross and Elizabeth (Etter) Brown Sr. Joe graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1967. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, graduating in 1971 with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. In 1974 he graduated from law school at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and became licensed to practice the same year.

Following graduation, Joe became an assistant state's attorney in Edwardsville, Illinois, where he handled many prosecuting assignments, including felony trials. In 1978, he left to work for Paul E. Riley and J. William Lucco, following the death of the legendary Dick Mudge. Becoming a partner in 1980, he practiced law in Edwardsville for 39 years with his great friend and partner, Bill Lucco, until shortly before his death. Joe served as a Madison County prosecutor and assistant state's attorney from 1974 to 1978.

He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Madison County Bar Association, and the Missouri Bar Association. 

Joe is survived by and will be missed by his wife of 41 years; “Patty” Patricia A. (Holshouser) Brown; his daughter, Jennifer (Logan) Brown-Ridenour of Troy, Illinois; his grandson, Lincoln Joseph Ridenour of Troy, Illinois; his brothers, William (Holly) Brown of Pekin, Illinois, Dr. Daniel (Virginia Weiler) Brown of Evansville, Indiana; his sister, Kristen (Jerry) O’Conner of Arlington Heights, Illinois; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Holshouser of Troy, Illinois; brothers-in-law, James (Colleen) Holshouser of Troy, Illinois, Robert Holshouser of Kissimmee, Florida; nephews, Walter (Lynn) Brown, David (Caroline) O’Conner, Mark O’Conner, Philip Brown; nieces, Shawna (Abby) Holshouser, Jamie (Nick) Leidenfrost, Kate Holshouser; great-nieces and nephews, Leah Brown, Will Brown, Lexi Brown, Wesley O’Conner, Elinor O’Conner, Sierra Holshouser, Alex Leidenfrost. 

Friends may call on Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon. In celebration of Joe’s life, visitation will continue on Monday, September 25, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. with Father Kevin Laughery officiating at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 511 South Main Street in Troy. Burial will be at a later date at Friedens Cemetery in Troy. Memorials are suggested to Siteman Cancer Center or BJC Hospice in Alton.