Joel T. Wallin

Joel Thomas Wallin, age 56, of Stoughton, WI passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday December 30, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. Joel was born on January 26, 1964 in Des Plaines, IL to Jerome and Joan Wallin. After graduating from Crystal Lake high school in 1983 in Crystal Lake, IL, Joel joined the US Army and over the next seven years worked his way up to Sergeant, earning many accolades due to his hard work and leadership. He traveled to several places including Germany, Korea, Jordan, and Egypt. This is where his love for travel and especially mechanics flourished. Joel enjoyed fishing, fixing and creating anything and everything he could get his hands on, his pup Rumchata, camping, story-telling, sharing a nice beer or Jack and Coke with whoever, Pina Coladas on the beach, good food, the slot machines and scratch-offs, watching movies with popcorn, meeting new people and good conversation, and spending as much time with friends and family as he could. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. Joel was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Fall 2014 and fought bravely through it all. He journeyed through the many challenges, including various surgeries, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, the countless side effects of different therapies, and plenty of nights away at the VA Hospital in Madison, WI. He would refer to his hospitalizations as, “Just another getaway to the ‘Hotel VA’”. His steadfast hope and whole-heartedness were amongst his biggest strengths. As he said, “I lived a good life.” Joel is survived by his two daughters, Robyn (Josh) Wallin Pletzer and Kaitlyn Wallin; his loving mother, Joan Barney Wallin; his brother, Greg (Oakie) Wallin; his sister, Mandy (Russell) Rubo; his sister in-law, Kay Wallin; and his close family-friend and mother of the girls, Sara (Greg) DeMuri. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, extended family, furry grandkids, and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerome Wallin; his step-father, Ross Barney; his brother, Jerome Wallin; and his niece, Audrey Wallin. Family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Joel at their home on Saturday, August 7th, at 1pm. Light snacks will be provided. Address will be included in further invite info. In lieu of flowers and if you can, please make a donation in Joel’s name to the Cancer Research Institute and/or The American Cancer Society. Please check out https://www.cancerresearch.org/join-the-cause/donate/one-time-donation and/or https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/memorial-giving.html for more info. Additionally, please address any cards to 200 N. Harrison St. Stoughton, WI 53589. As well, anyone who wants to can use this website to share messages, memories, videos, and pictures of Joel. We welcome this earnestly