Joseph Laurin Allison, age 76, passed away at 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, January 19th 2023, at Mattoon Rehab & Health Care Center, Mattoon, IL. 

Private family services will be held at a later date.  Burial will be in the Jewett Cemetery.  The Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup, IL is assisting the family.  

Joe was born to Laurin Eldon and Mary Edith (Bishop) Allison on August 30th, 1946 at Memorial Methodist Hospital in Mattoon, IL.  He grew up in Jewett and last resided in Charleston, Illinois.  

Joe graduated from Cumberland H.S. in 1964.  He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1970 after serving in Vietnam.  He graduated from Eastern Illinois University-College of Arts & Humanities.  He was an artist and theatre enthusiast. He served as costume shop manager and supervisor at the Doudna Fine Arts Center at Eastern for several years before retiring.   He also enjoyed cooking and baking.  He exercised these talents locally at Stephen’s Restaurant in Martinsville, Reflections, EL Crackers, and Charleston Country Club, to name a few. 

Joe is survived by his brother, Kim (Teresa) Allison; nephew, Kyle (Jessi) Allison and children, Taylor Tolen, Kiela and Kael Allison; niece, Tiffany (Justin) Wallace and children, Owen, Jenna, and Jordan Wallace.  

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, paternal grandparents, Lyman and Elizabeth (Jessup) Allison, maternal grandparents,  William and Mary Etta (Cox) Bishop, and special uncle, Joseph Bishop.  

Memorials may be made to: Doudna Fine Arts Center- EIU, Charleston, IL.  Online condolences can be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com