Joseph E. Hallam
Joseph E. Hallam, 96, of Sullivan, MO, passed away peacefully at his home Saturday, September 19, 2020.
Joseph Eugene Hallam was born in Albion, IL, April 10, 1924, the son of Ivan and Flossie (Templeton) Hallam. He attended school in Alton, IL, graduating from Alton High School, Class of 1946. Joe was active in the Alton Boxboard Baseball League as a boy and went on to play both baseball and basketball in college. For two years, he was being pursued by baseball scouts to be a professional baseball player, but he told them to go away and that there was no room in his life for that because he was going to be a preacher! Joe entered the US Air Force in September of 1942 and served our country during WW II, flying B-17 bombers in twenty-five missions, as well as being a radio operator and gunner. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Joe went on to attend Greenville College in IL, Eden Seminary with a Master’s in Divinity, and SIUE with a Master’s in Education Guidance and Counseling.
Joe was previously married to Kathleen (Collins) Hallam. Together, they had seven sons. From 1968 to 1973, Joe was the Director and Preacher for Midtown Human Development Cooperation, dispensing millions of dollars in the St. Louis region. He was in ministry for 35 years, and then spent time as a counselor for the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. Joe married Doris Sibole on December 31, 1981. After moving to Sullivan, Joe eventually went into private counseling and later retired in 1996. During his retirement, Joe loved to golf and he was extremely fortunate in the fact that he attained not one, but eight holes in one in his lifetime! Joe will be missed by his family and many friends.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Doris Hallam of Sullivan; six children: Joe Hallam and wife, Glenda, of TX, Roger Hallam and wife, Pat, of Imperial, MO, Greg Hallam and wife, Paula, of St. Charles, MO, Ronnie Hallam and wife, Mary, of AZ, Brian Hallam of Fairfield, IL, and Kelvin (Kelly) Hallam and wife, Brenda, of Mount Vernon, IL; three stepchildren: Carmen Bartolotta, Chara Schatz and husband, Dave, and Charles Cuneio and wife, Gwen, all of Sullivan; a half-brother, Kenneth Nale of Fairfield, IL; twenty-one grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by one son, Steven Hallam; his parents; two brothers, Edward and Harold Hallam; and a step-grandson, Daniel Schatz.
Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, with Pastor Scott Perry officiating. Burial, with full military honors, were held at 2 p.m., in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.
Visitation was held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, prior to the funeral service at Eaton Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions in Joe’s memory may be may made to Temple Baptist Church iXL program.
Condolences may be shared online with Joe’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Eaton Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Sullivan.