Obituary of Joseph L. Alford

Joseph L. Alford, 75, of Girard, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Deer Valley Ski Resort in Park City, UT. Joseph was born on August 19, 1947, to Robert and Verna (Kessinger) Alford in Springfield, IL Joe was a 1965 graduate of Girard High School, and a 1970 graduate of Western Illinois University where he received a degree in Agriculture Economics. While at Western, Joe was honored to be a member of Theta XI fraternity. After graduating, he returned home to Girard where he was a fifth-generation farmer. In 1982, Joe was elected to the State Bank of Virden Board of Directors. Joe remained on the Board through the acquisition of the bank by the Raymond Bancorp and continued to serve as a Director until his retirement in 2019. He was a lifetime member of Illinois Farmers Union, serving previously as Vice-President and an Executive Board member. He was appointed to and served on the Illinois Finance Authority, Illinois Real Estate Appraisal Board, and the Illinois Farm Development Authority. He was also a member of the Girard Alumni Association. Joe was an avid skier and loved traveling the world with his family and friends. Joseph is survived by his sister, Mary (Harry) Fanning of Girard, IL; niece, Jacqueline F. (Charles) Redmond of St. Louis, MO; nephew, Robert L. (Janelle) Fanning of Girard, IL; four great-nieces, Eleanor Redmond, Findlay Redmond, Olivia Fanning, and Charlotte Fanning. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Verna Alford. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Girard, IL. A Celebration of Life will follow on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 5:00 pm at the Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Girard, IL, with Rev. Bryce Hays officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Girard Food Pantry. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Girard is in charge of arrangements.