Joseph "Jay" Nyhoff

Age 82 of Morris, Illinois, and formerly of Chicago, died Wednesday morning, February 1, 2023, at his home.

Born December 11, 1940, in Chicago, Joseph James was the son of Joseph James, Sr. and Marjorie L. (Powers) Nyhoff. He was raised and educated in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood; graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory School; and went on to earn his BA degree from Chicago Teachers College.

On September 8, 1962, Jay married Dorothy O'Kane at St. Phillip Neri Church in the South Shore neighborhood, and together they made a home and raised their four children in Morris, Illinois. Jay retired following 36 years of employment from the Department of Natural Resources, most recently as the Site Superintendent of Goose Lake Prairie State Park and Heidecke Lake. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, and belonged to the Morris Moose Lodge 967. One who loved nature and was proud to have earned his Eagle Scout rank, Jay enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching the birds at the feeders he took care of in his backyard, and tending to his koi pond.  Reading was an enjoyable pastime, and he took pleasure in building models, which included both train models and miniature dioramas. The family created many memories traveling domestically with their camper trailer, and nothing gave Jay greater joy than spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, sharing his love of the outdoors with them.

Jay had a passion for his work, and will be remembered for his articles which were published in both the Morris Daily Herald, as well as the local paper in Savanna, Illinois, when he was stationed at Mississippi Palisades State Park.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years; their four children: Pamela (Ron) Burton of Marseilles, Illinois, Colleen (Michael) Ward of Morris, Kevin Nyhoff (Darla Rahe) of Diamond, Illinois, and Amelia (Dale) Wren of Morris; seven grandchildren: Jessica (Mike) Glaser, Nichole Ward, Brenton (Lindsay) Ward, Hollyn Kupiec, Jacob Zahn, Caleb Zahn, and Ellery Burton; two great grandsons: Landon Kupiec and Hudson Ward; one sister, Mary Catherine Mierlak of Morris, and his brother-in-law, Michael (Nadine) O’Kane of Thiensville, Wisconsin.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie L. Nyhoff and Joseph James and Elsie (Phillips) Nyhoff.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block east of Illinois Route 47) in Morris on Friday, February 3, 2023, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Saturday morning, February 4, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 516 East Jackson Street in Morris. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Jason Stone officiating and Deacon Paul Jung assisting.

Pallbearers will be: Kevin Nyhoff, Brenton Ward, Ellery Burton, Ron Burton, Mike Ward and Dale Wren.

Green flameless cremation rites will be accorded following the services, and he will be laid to rest in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Morris.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jay’s memory to Goose Lake Prairie Partners, Inc., 5010 N. Jugtown Road, Morris, Illinois, 60450 or to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois, 60450.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs, and share Jay’s memorial page online.

Funeral services and green flameless cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815-942-2500)