Joseph R. Lowery, 90, born Wednesday, May 28, 1924, in Belleville, Ill., died Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at Cedarhurst in Shiloh, Ill.
Joseph was a graduate of Belleville Township High School Class of 1942. He attended Milliken University and was later called to duty in February 1943, assigned to the Army Air Corp, and later to the 362nd Fighter Group. He served in several battles in Europe including Normandy and received silver and bronze battle stars, a Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and Silver Oak Leaf Cluster.
Joseph graduated from the University of Illinois College of Commerce with a degree in accountancy and a minor in economics in 1947 and from the University of Illinois Law School in 1950.
He practiced law for 60 years at three law firms during his career: Pope and Driemeyer, Thompson Coburn, and Greensfelder Hemker & Gale.
In addition to his law career, he served as the director for the following for-profit corporations: Illinois State Trust Company, Magna Group, Marsh Company, JMJ Industries, Inc., Illinois Electric Works, Inc., Missouri Electric Sales & Services, Inc., Rapid Sales & Service, Inc., Wise Communications, Inc., Eckert Companies, Peerless Enamel Products Company, East St. Louis Castings Co., and First National Bank of Belleville.