Joe McHaley, 80, of Wheaton, Illinois passed away on September 17, 2025. Husband to Carol (Jensen) McHaley for 61 years, father to Mark, Jennifer (Dustin Crews), and James (Carrie), and grandfather to Weston, Haley, Liam, Lilia, and Maya. He is also survived by brother John (Helen), sister-in-law Lucille, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Margaret (Zenor) McHaley and Rex McHaley and his brother, Jerry.
Joe grew up in Spencer, IN, attended Missouri Valley College where he met Carol, and then attended Indiana State University where he received his bachelors and masters degrees. After living in Terre Haute during their first years of marriage, Joe and Carol moved to Wheaton in 1968.
Joe was a lifelong educator and administrator, working as a teacher and principal in the Winfield and Wheaton school districts for three and a half decades.
After retiring in 2003, Joe volunteered his time and energy towards causes with significant meaning to him to continue advancing knowledge and education that benefited others. Over the last 20 years, Joe volunteered at the Field Museum of Chicago, Wheaton History Center, on the Wheaton Public Library Board, Kiwanis, and at Brookfield Zoo, where he served as a docent for over 15 years.
A celebration of life is being planned with details to come.
Donations may be made to Brookfield Zoo in memory of Joe at
