Joseph E. Curry, DVM

Springfield — Joseph Edward Curry, DVM, 99, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at EverTrue Concordia Village in Springfield, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born Dec. 1, 1926, in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Philip F. and Melinda M. Hartman Curry. He married Mary Lou Harbauer on Aug. 8, 1952, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Lou, in 2006; his brother, Philip Curry; and his sister, Mary Lou Garvert.

Joe graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State University, earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1952. While at Kansas State, he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He also served his country in the U.S. Navy as a radio operator aboard a PBY aircraft and later as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

With his degree in hand and what he hoped was the luck of the Irish, he followed his sister and her husband, who also was a veterinarian, to Springfield, with the promise of a new job and a new beginning. He established Laketown Animal Clinic in 1961, building a successful veterinary practice that continues to operate today. He also was the first veterinarian at the Henson Robinson Zoo and was a founding member of the Animal Emergency Clinic in Springfield.

He was a member of Little Flower Parish and St. Agnes Parish and was a strong supporter of Catholic education. He was a founding member and president of the Irish Brigade, a patriotic, rambunctious and fun-loving group of Irishmen who developed several memorable floats for Springfield’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He also was a founder and inaugural board member of the Springfield Youth Hockey League, and a member of the Island Bay Yacht Club, the Elks Lodge No. 158 and the ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Club.

His love for all things Irish was evident to all who knew him. He made his kids green pancakes on St. Patrick’s Day and loved Irish crème de menthe over his evening bowl of ice cream. He and his wife traveled to Ireland with a Chantilly Lace group, where they kissed the Blarney Stone, found the town bearing his family’s name and bought every keychain and souvenir they could find. In 2017, he was named the Irishman of the Year by the Sons and Daughters of Erin in Springfield.

He will be remembered as a storyteller and prankster who loved to tell a tale, enjoyed making people laugh and loved his family, friends and the many animals he cared for throughout the years.

Joe is survived by his seven sons, Mark J. (wife, Nancy) Curry of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kevin M. (wife, Shari) Curry of Naples, Florida, Tim P. (wife, Kim) Curry, Jerry P. (wife, Charlotte) Curry, J. Christopher (wife, Cathy) Curry, DVM, and David E. (wife, Gina) Curry, DMD, all of Springfield, and USN Ret. CDR Matthew J. (wife, Kim) Curry of Huntingtown, Maryland; his daughter, Mary Jo Curry (husband, Michael Rapier), of Springfield; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Jerry (wife, Eileen) Harbauer, of Oak Brook; his wonderful caregiver and friend, Pawlos Agdubay; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe’s family will meet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Little Flower Catholic Church in Springfield. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at Little Flower Catholic Church, with Rev. Allen Kemme and Rev. Richard Chiola officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield, with military honors conducted by the Department of Defense and the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.

Memorial contributions may be made to Little Flower Catholic School, 900 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703, or at little-flower.org; or to the Concordia Village Scholarship Program, 4101 W. Iles Ave., Springfield, IL 62711, or at evertrueliving.org.

Joe’s family wishes to thank his wonderful caregiver and friend, Pawlos Agdubay, for the loving care and companionship he gave to their father over the years, as well as the staff of EverTrue Concordia Village.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is honored to serve the family of Joe Curry. Online condolences may be shared at www.curryfh.com.