Joseph N. Reilly

Joseph N. Reilly 47, of DeKalb passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, at home after a twenty-year battle with cancer.  He was born June 12, 1977, in Panama City, FL and is the son of Thomas E. and Elizabeth (Semon) Reilly.

Joseph's journey through life was marked by perseverance, passion, and a deep love for his closest friends and family. He graduated from Oregon High School (1995) and earned Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (2010) from Northern Illinois University. He served his country as an aviation electrician in the United States Navy from 1995 to 2000, where he earned the rank of E5. His curiosity, keen intellectual powers, and a love of learning were evident throughout his entire life, well beyond the degree he fought to earn amid his health challenges.  Joseph approached the world around him, from birdwatching to physics and cooking, with a scientific spirit. His meticulous discernment and problem solving served him well in his role as cataloger at the NIU Library where he worked since 2015.

On May 13, 2006, Joseph married the love of his life, Emily A. Poe, in a heartfelt ceremony at Hopkins Park in DeKalb, IL. Their love story was enriched by the arrival of their daughter, Rowan, with whom Joseph spent cherished joyful moments watching baking shows and Cubs games, building with Legos, and going for rides in his Dodge Challenger.

Everyone who knew Joseph so enjoyed his witty sense of humor, intelligence, cooking, and engaging in-deep conversations with him. He had a creative spirit that came alive in his cooking, a hobby that brought his nieces and nephews flocking to his home, eager for "Uncle Joe Joe's" delicious meals. He had a deep love of music and spent countless hours in the music room he built, connecting with friends and family and sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of so many genres. He cherished live shows, above all the band Tool, and held on to his ticket collection from when he first started going to concerts.

Joseph's warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.

Survivors include; wife Emily of DeKalb, daughter Rowan of DeKalb, father Thomas Reilly of New York, In-laws; George and Nancy Poe of Mt. Morris, IL, brothers in law; Eric (Melissa) Poe of Mt. Morris and Adam (Maggie) Poe of Oregon, sister in law; Amanda (Bill) Caponigro of Elgin, IL. Several nieces and nephews. Uncles; Bil (Deby) Semon of TX and Tommy Semon of Chicago. Aunts; Ann Lombardi (Doug) of New Jersey, Sheri Semon of Oregon, IL, Regina (Chrissy) Cox of Stillman Valley, IL and Peggy (Leroy) Saunders of Oregon, IL. He was preceded in death by his mother, grandmother Regina Barnhart, grandfather; Thomas Joseph Reilly, uncles Jim Semon and Bobby Semon, and a cousin Spencer Cox.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb with the family sharing memories at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to KESEM at Northern Illinois University to support programming for children impacted by a parent's cancer. Water cremation will follow services and arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.