Dr. Joseph "Joe" J. Foerner, DVM, 75, died Monday, November 7, 2016 at his residence in Plano, IL. He was born on June 21, 1941 in Evergreen Park, Illinois the son of the late Joseph J. and Mary nee Marshall Foerner Sr. Joe was a graduate of the University of Illinois (BS, 1963, DVM, 1965) and the University of Pennsylvania, where he served his intership in equine surgery. Dr Foerner was a partner at the highly regarded Illinois Equine Hospital in Naperville, IL. During his partial retirement he was a surgical instructor at University of WI Veterinary School and consultant at Critter Care. Dr Foerner also served as a consultant to the Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos, Shedd Aquarium all in Chicago, IL and the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus in Washington, DC. Dr Foerner was a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons where he had served as President, Chairman of the Board and Regent of that Association. He holds memberships in the AVMA and AAEP, as well as the Illinois State VMA where he had served on several committees and presented many convention programs. He had been invited to share his expertise at over seventy national and international conferences and seminars and has been published numerous times in various journals on equine and wildlife medicine. He is an internationally recognized authority on horses. He has been called in on multiple elephant cases that needed his expertise and stature. He has been the only person to perform c-sections on elephants and the first to perform elephant castrations . In 1997 Dr Foener was awarded the coveted American Veterinary Medical Association Practitioner Research Award. He co-owns Culver's Restaurants in Port Charlotte, FL. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Plano. He is survived by his wife Dr. Kim Peterson; daughter Josephine and son Marshall Foerner; sister Mary "Missy" Burk; in-laws Vernon and Shirley Peterson many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was an avid restorer of wood boats and 1957 cars. He loved travel, meeting people and laughing, one of his favorite places being Key West, FL. His greatest loves were for his wife, daughter and son and being a loyal friend. Visitation will be on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. at DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY, 1801 Douglas Road, Oswego, IL, 60543. The body will lie in state from 9:00 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 901 North Center Street, Plano, IL, 60545. Memorials can be made to either CSU College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science (Orthopedic Research Center), Office of Advancement, 1680 Campus Delivery, Ft. Collins, CO 80523; or Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Rd., Aurora, IL 60502; or Aurora Central Catholic Heritage Fund, 1255 N. Edgelawn Dr., Aurora, IL 60506. For additional infromation www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome or 630/554-3888.