Joseph William Davison-Christopher, IL

Joseph William Davison, Jr., 94, passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 13, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Joseph (Joe) Davison was born June 10th, 1931, in Du Quoin, Illinois, the son of Joseph William, Sr. and Violet Adeline Mezo Davison.

Throughout his life, Joe was active in the community and area organizations, including the Christopher Area Betterment Association. He attended St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and was a 4th degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a bowler for 30 years with the Christopher Men’s Bowling League. He was an avid gardener and often provided friends and neighbors with the fruits of his labors and offered gardening advice to many an aspiring gardener. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and hunting.

After delivering papers for the Du Quoin Evening Call at the age of 13, he became a printer for several newspapers in Missouri and Illinois, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. At 23 years old, he became publisher of the Christopher Progress and later seven newspapers in Franklin, Williamson, and Jefferson counties. Joe and his wife also served as consultants with the International Service Corps in Panama. During retirement, they owned the Ben Franklin “Dime Store” for several years.

He is survived by five children: Gregory William (and wife Debra) Davison, Timothy Joseph (and wife Barbara, Topeka, Kansas) Davison, Jodie Jane Davison Toney, Mary Margaret Davison (Austin, Texas), and Matthew Russell Davison. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sybil Jane Davison, who passed away in 2020, and his son, Stephen Harrison Davison, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1977, as well as his siblings Roger Davison and Fred Davison from Du Quoin and Sharon Davison Brower from Springfield.
His grandchildren include Dr. Jamie Davison Link, Julie Davison Bullock, Mandy Davison Engelken, Missy Davison Heinen, Megan Toney Patterson, Will Toney, and 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart in Du Quoin, on Saturday May 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with visitation at the church from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM followed by Mass and burial at the St. Andrew’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Cemetery.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com