It is with profound sadness that the family of Joe C. Grindley announces his peaceful passing in the earlymorning hours of February 7, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital.Joe Grindley, formerly of Sidney, IL, was born February 17, 1951 in Urbana. He was the second son of Morris & Dorothea (Thomas) Grindley, who preceded him in death. Joe attended Urbana schools and graduated from Urbana High School in June 1969. He later enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1972, where he served his country proudly as a Surface Sonar Technician (STG2) and
was honorably discharged after six years of active-duty service. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class and had nearly five years of sea service aboard two naval combatants: the guided missile cruiser, USS Columbus (CG-12); and the guided missile frigate, USS Mahan (DLG-11).

After his Navy service, Joe returned home to Urbana and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree on May 19, 1985. Joe started work at the University of Illinois in the Department of Ceramic Engineering, which later became the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He retired from the University of Illinois after a career of more than 23 years in 2006. During this career, Joe found a love for working with ceramic materials and he learned the art of glass blowing. He demonstrated these skills during the annual College of Engineering Open House to groups of high school students and to other people when he worked his art at Prairie Fire Glass in Monticello, IL. He
shared his passion for studio art with many family members and friends, giving his hand-crafted art as gifts. He often worked young family members to create their own studio art item, such as an ornament, as a memento of the time spent with him in the studio. Ever the scholar, Joe was a life-long learner and an avid history enthusiast. He enjoyed reading and socializing with friends and family. Joe was a vintage toy collector and he attended many toy shows and conventions across the country, acquiring new items for his various
collections which he showcased in his home in Sidney. Joe had a special place in his heart for cats and had several feline companions over the years that he had raised from a kitten. Each cat had its unique personality and character, and all thrived in the home that Joe shared with them. Joe is survived by his two brothers; David (Valerie) Grindley and Gary Grindley, both of Urbana, and a nephew, Erick Grindley of St. Joseph, IL; and a niece, Natalie (Michael) Rudzinski of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by several great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. He is loved and will be missed by all who knew him. Per his last wishes, no public services will be held.