Joel Paul Muehlhausen went peacefully to be with our Lord on May 15, 2015. He was born in Salem, Ill., on Sept. 20, 1955.

Joel was the oldest of eight children. His father was a Marine, so Joel spent years in Virginia, North Carolina and Illinois.

In 1968 they moved on orders to Sand Point in Snohomish. They were there two years before settling at their last duty station at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Joel graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1973. Joel’s love for hunting, fishing and the great outdoors led him to study conservation. In 1975 he moved back to Southern Illinois near both paternal and maternal grandparents and many extended family members.

He worked his way from summer help into a job as a conservation officer at Hazlet State Park in Carlyle, Ill. His work there introduced him to the field of law enforcement and he began working dispatch with the Breese Police Department.

August 1983 brought the beginning of his career with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department of Illinois, while he continued to work part-time for Breese until May of 2001. Joel loved his work and excelled at both dispatcher and jailer and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He routinely volunteered to work holidays so that co-workers could be with their families. He was fondly known for tracking Santa on the radar throughout each Christmas Eve. He was well thought of and respected by those on both sides of the jail bars.

Joel suffered a massive stroke in December of 2004, and, with 21 years honorable service with the sheriff’s department, he retired and returned to Washington state to be with his family.

Joel is survived by his parents, Louis and Clara Muehlhausen; brother, Steve (wife Karla); and sisters, Tami (husband Bob) Murray, Kathy (husband Randy) Fagan, Tori Muehlhausen, Geni (husband Kevin) Riley, Mari Muehlhausen and Kari (husband Troy) Sanders. He was a loving uncle to nephew Chance and nieces Christina, Becky, Heather, Tiffany, Ashley and Raina, and eight grand nieces and nephews.

Joel enjoyed many years researching and documenting family history and genealogy. He was known for his patriotism and liking for country-western ballads and John Wayne movies. Joel loved exploring the outdoors, especially state and national parks and hunting with his dad and brother, and he was an avid fresh water fisherman. Joel was always ready to lend a hand and was a quintessential gentleman. He was greatly loved and will be missed.