Joe was born February 8, 1938, in East Lansing, MI, the son of John Bernard and Ellen Irene Brithaupt Dakin. He married Valerie “Jodi” Sanderson on August 12, 1989 in Springfield.
Joe earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration Public Safety from Michigan State University and master’s degree in criminal justice From SIU-Carbondale. He retired in 2002 as police chief in Kewanee, IL, was appointed to serve two terms on the prisoner review board, and served as the superintendent at ISP training academy. Joe previously worked as police chief in Carbondale, IL in the 1970s, worked as a beat cop in Oakland, CA and also in East Lansing, MI, and many other positions in security and law enforcement. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Joe enjoyed playing Farkle, golf, traveling in his RV to Florida, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, but most of all, he cherished the time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Teresa Sauer; granddaughter, Morgan Jesse; and seven siblings.
Joe is survived by his wife, Jodi Dakin of Springfield; sons, Joe, Jr. (Cindy) Dakin of Irmo, SC and James K. (Kristina McRell-Hill) Hill, II of Springfield; daughters, Christine Dakin of Cambria, IL and Patricia (Achim) Bank of Springfield; grandsons, Brian, Bradley, Nathan, Collen, Riley, Oliver, and Tristan; and nieces, nephews, and many other family and friends.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.
Funeral Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield with Rev. Jeffery Grant officiating.
Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to your local Police Department K-9 Unit.
