Joseph Herbert Adams

Joseph (Joe) Herbert Adams passed away at 75 on November 28, 2024 at his family home in rural Walnut, Illinois. His wife of 28 years, Juliet Stewart, was by his side.

Joe was born to the extended Adams Family of rural Tampico IL and a descendent of one of the original pioneering families. He spent summers bailing hay and pulling weeds out of bean fields, playing softball with his cousins in Tampico, and going to dances at The Barn in Sterling. He was awarded Reserve Champion Market Beef with his Hereford at the Illinois State Fair, elected Student Council President at Walnut High, and motorcycled through Europe in 1970’s as a college student. Joe took voice lessons and sang Italian opera. His favorite was O Sol Mio. These lessons came in handy years later as his wife Juliet was born on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Mr. Adams attended Walnut Community Consolidated Grade School and Walnut Community High School, graduating in June 1967. Joseph when on to study at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park, IL. He graduated in 1971 Magna Cum Laude in Philosophy from the University of Chicago. He received a Jurisprudence Degree in 1976 from New York University School of Law. He passed the New York Bar Exam and was licensed to practice in 1978. Prior to establishing his own practice, he worked with Manhattan-based firms in criminal defense, commercial litigation, and property rights law. He worked with noted firms Marshall, Bratter, Greene, Allison and Tucker; and Spengler, Carlson, Gubar, and Brodsky. Joseph became a Certified Mediator of the Commercial Division, Supreme Court, New York County. He owned a home along the Hudson River in Nyack, NY where he lived for over 40 years.

Joseph only wore a tie when he appeared in court. However, his best canine friend “Hopper” wore a tie every day. He was born with a drive for justice and fairness and fought for the underdog against the big giants. He would never drop a client in the middle of a case, knowing they could no longer pay. He would not abandon them.

Joseph Herbert Adams was born May 24, 1949 in Sterling, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Helen (Elmendorf) Adams. Joe is survived by his wife Juliet Stewart; sisters Vera (Bruce) Adams, Maureen (Dan) Conner, and Judy (David) Craig; nephew Jason Conner; nieces Sara (Josh) Mosher and Kelley (Vern) Smith; grandnieces Claire and Alice Conner and; grandnephews Craig O’Halloran and Deacon Mosher.

In lieu of flowers charitable contributions to help with medical expenses may be sent in care of Garland Funeral Home, Walnut, Illinois.

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