Joseph Patrick Furlong's Obituary
Joseph Patrick Furlong, age 86, of Charleston, IL, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Born on February 11, 1939, in Chicago, IL, to Philip and Vidace (Goetz) Furlong, Joe lived a full and meaningful life rooted in faith, family, and service. On April 2, 1960, he married his beloved wife, Janice Rae Hash, beginning a 65-year partnership.
Joe is survived by his wife, Janice, of Charleston; four children: Timothy Patrick (Ramona) Furlong of Mandan, ND; Susan (Nyle) Bolliger of Savoy, IL; Rebecca (Brian) Cousins of Aurora, IL; and Colleen (Kyle) Kappes of Monticello, IL; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Kay (Michael) Saracini of Palos Heights, IL, and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson.
A graduate of Niles High School in Chicago, Joe went on to study at Southern Illinois University and Eastern Illinois University, where he met Janice. The two were married just before he deployed to Germany to serve honorably in the U.S. Army. After his military service, Joe studied engineering at the Montana School of Mines in Butte before completing his degree at EIU.
In the 1970’s, he and Janice moved the family to Williston, North Dakota and founded Furlong Oil & Minerals Company, an oil exploration and production company. In the late 1990s, they returned to Charleston to be near family. A true entrepreneur, Joe then began successful real estate and traditional archery businesses.
A passionate outdoorsman, Joe was an avid bowhunter and skilled bowyer. He was proud to be a lifetime member of Compton Traditional Bowhunters. He especially enjoyed teaching children the art of archery and channeled that passion into the successful development of Black Rhino Bow Company, building traditional longbows for children. He passed on his love of the outdoors to everyone but especially his children and grandchildren. Above all, Joe was a man of quiet strength, deep convictions, and unwavering devotion to those he loved.
A Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Father Michael Berndt at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Ave., Charleston, IL. Private interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Friends and Family are invited to join an Irish celebration of life from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Roc’s Blackfront Tavern & Grill, 410 6th Street, Charleston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Compton Traditional Bowhunters/Youth Education Program, [www.comptontraditionalbowhunters.com/product-page/youth-education-program] (credit card only), or Newman Center at Eastern Illinois University, 500 Roosevelt Ave., Charleston, IL 61920 [www.eiunewman.org]
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