Edward “Joe” Delaloye, age 92, of LaGrange; beloved husband of the late Rosalie (née Messineo); loving father of late Nancy Delaloye, survived by Mary Ann Delaloye, Edward J. Delaloye, Jr., & Robert F. Delaloye; dear brother of the late Gus Delaloye, James (Janet) Delaloye, older brother (by 5 minutes) to his beloved twin the late Mary (John) Miller, Ann (Jack) Smith, Martha (Robert) Pike, & the late Jack (Rose Zita) Delaloye; uncle and friend of many.

Joe was a member of three choirs, namely St. Cletus, Joyful Voices, and Good Shepard, for many years. He was a founding member of St Cletus Community Theater and was bitten by the theatre bug going on to have forty-plus years in local theatre, expanding to The Theatre of Western Springs and in Downers Grove with the Grove Players.  You may even be surprised to catch sight of him in a few movies filmed in the 1980s.  He was active in the Robert E. Coulter Post #1941 in LaGrange, holding several positions, including Commander, and was a member of the VFW.

Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Joe was a wonderful husband and father of four. He could do the Hog Call like no one else. Once winning a trip to Six Flags over Texas for the best Hog Call into a local radio station. A most beloved uncle. Many of his nieces and nephews refer to him as the family treasure, their living example of how to show up in life and their own families. He, and his brothers and sisters, have been a foundational testament to our family’s infrastructure. As we walked through this life with him, we marveled at his dedication to his passions and commitments. He was a man of great inner strength and fortitude. A truly Good Man. He accepted people for who they are and always chose to see the good in them. He saw their gifts and cultivated friendships.  We watched as he handled his challenges with a ferocious spirit to overcome and walked with determination through his cancer journey. He overcame his first stages becoming cancer free, recovered from Covid-19, and become affectionately referred to as “the Beast” as we were all relieved to still have him as we lost other beloved family members, in recent years. Recently, he grew weary and felt that he had run his race. We have been honored to have him, share him, embrace him, argue with him, challenge him, and be challenged by him. We were graced, as his children, with his patience as we rarely did anything quietly. Rest in Power, dad. We love you.

Visitation from 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 19 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55^th St., Countryside. Family and friends will meet at St. Cletus Church, 600 W. 55^th St., LaGrange for 10 a.m. Mass on Friday, January 20. Interment private. Kindly omit flowers. Donations in Joe’s name to the American Legion Post 1941, 900 S. LaGrange Rd., LaGrange, IL 60525 are appreciated. Funeral information: (708) 352-6500