Joseph "Joe" Lee Sassman

Green Valley ~ Joseph Lee "Joe" Sassman, 32, of Green Valley, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026. He was born on January 6, 1993, in Peoria, a son of Jerry Lee and Diane Gail (Marteness) Sassman.

Joe is survived by his parents of Green Valley; his paternal grandparents, Harold (Doris) Sassman of Groveland; his siblings, Amanda Pettijohn of Manito, Heather Sassman (Shawn Melford) of Bloomington, Cody (Samantha) Smock of East Peoria, and Kristen Smock of Peoria; as well as his beloved nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and so many good friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Sonny of Marion and Bernadine Marteness of Green Valley; and his uncle, Clifton Marteness of Pekin.

He graduated from Midwest Central High School in 2011.

Joe last worked for Carmody Services in Dunlap.

He was an active member of El Vista Baptist Church, and loved the Lord and his brothers and sisters in Christ. The Peoria Sportsman Club became a second home to him in his years of working and volunteering in the kitchen on their food nights. Joe loved farming, a family trait that he used to build beautiful gardens and continued to show in his work at Carmody. He was an avid songbird, always finding a song to sing in any situation. He was a light to every room he walked into and would give the shirt off his back to keep a friend warm.

Joe's visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home in Pekin. His funeral service will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, January 9, 2026, also at the funeral home. Pastor Joey Watt will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to El Vista Baptist Church at https://www.elvistabaptist.org/contact-us/ or Manito Baptist Church, 306 W North St, Manito, IL 61546.

Online condolences may be shared with Joe's family at www.Preston-Hanley.com