Joseph Alfred Gaskill, Jr., age 84, of Oswego, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Tabor Hills in Naperville, after a brief battle with mesothelioma. Joe was born on January 1, 1930, in Cedar Rapids, IA, and was the son of Joseph A. and Beulah M. (Hess) Gaskill. Joe graduated from Roosevelt HS in Cedar Rapids in 1948. On November 4, 1949, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline J. Steyne, in Anamosa, IA. Joe began his career at Wilson & Co., in Cedar Rapids. Joe then worked for Louis Rich Foods in the 1960s where he helped develop turkey bacon, sausage and cold cuts. Joe moved on to Culinary Foods in Chicago into the emerging institutional and airline food business. Joe retired from Culinary Foods in 1998,after being part of a developing industry that changed the way we eat. Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jackie; their 9 children: Vicki (Steve) Sonka of Cherokee, IA; Robin Novotny of South Haven, MI; Karen Kennedy of Cherokee, IA; Joseph A. (Sheila) Gaskill, III of Carol Stream, IL; Gary (Chris) of Marlton, NJ; Jon Gaskill of Gahanna, OH; Kim (Rob) Bordner of Morris, IL; Susan (Chris) Lindley of Sugar Grove, IL; Allyson (Chad) Harrison of Cherokee, IA and 21 grandchildren: Michael (Jill) Sonka; Jason (Keely) Novotny; David (Renee) Sonka; Matthew (Jessica) Sonka; Blake (Lindy) Novotny; Justin (Shannon) Gaskill; Hope (Shawn) Fuller; Amanda (Tony) Evola; Joseph A. Gaskill, IV; Jacquelyn Kennedy; Marissa Gaskill; Katherine Kennedy; RJ, Andrew & Tyler Bordner; Megan, Kyle & Sarah Lindley; Merrick, Griffin & Ely Harrison; and 10 great-grandchildren. One sister, Judy Hamlin of AZ, and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Beulah Gaskill, and his sister, Dora Mae Rooks. Our 'lovable' Dad, Joe, enjoyed golfing, fishing, cooking, traveling, playing cards and spending time with friends and family ... and a good joke. Visitation will be held at DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY 1801 S Douglas Rd, in Oswego, IL on Tuesday, May 13th from 4 - 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 14th, at 10 am at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 551 Boulder Hill Pass, in Oswego, IL. Memorial contributions in Joe's name may be made to the Harrison Boy's Autism Fund, North Star Community Credit Union, 1030 S Second St., P.O. Box 556, Cherokee IA 51012. For additional information 630/554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com