Guestbook

Barb abd children, Hearing about Joel was a shock and brought back so many memories. I am so very sorry. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep all the memories alive in your heart and he will never be gone.

Linda Douglas
-- Linda Doulas

Our prayers and thoughts are with the family due to the loss of our friend, colleague, mentor and dedicated public servant whom we dearly loved. He lived life to the fullest extent, loved the great outdoors and his family and friends, and worked hard for his constiuents and the great state of Illinois. A sad goodbye to my seatmate whom I served with fourteen years in the Illinois House. I will truly miss you. From my wife, Leslie and four children: Brooke, Gretchen, Natalie and Luke. We truly loved you and your family.
-- David Phelps

Dear Barb, Tim, Ted, Libby, Gracie & Lauren, We are so deeply sorry to hear of Joel's passing. He was a great guy and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Our hearts and prayers go out to your whole family. God Bless.
-- JoAnn & Greg Sullivan

I had the pleasure of working with Joel many times when he was a state representative. He truly cared about the state of Illinois and the people who live there. He was always so friendly and helpful. I am sorry for your loss.
-- Sharon DeRycke

Dear Barb and Family, Joel is in my prayers. His passing is a tremendous loss, not only for his family and friends but for the State of Illinois as well. He was truly an exceptional person whom I enjoyed working with and calling my friend. Shirley R. Madigan, Chairman, IL Arts Council
-- Shirley Madigan

Dear Friends:

What a shock to learn of Joel's passing. Joel lived a life of service to others. The positive impact he had on others, whether it be students, constituents, family and friends will live on. It is sad that Joel did live longer to enjoy the "sweetness" of the life he lived. His death no doubt will leave a big void in your lives. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
-- Al McCaulley & Linnea Thompson

Barb and Family - I was so sorry to hear about your husband. He was the nicest man and worked so hard for the QCs and the State of Illinois. You are all in my prayers during this difficult time
-- Adrienne Yokas Johnson

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Many of us will never forget the dedication and love shown to the students of Sherrard High School.
-- Karla Bristow Stoedter

Barb & family, we are so saddened by the news of Joel's sudden passing. Joel was such a special, hard working, loving person. It was our good fortune to have know him personally as part of our extended Wells family. You and your family have our sincere condolences during this most difficult time. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you now to sustain you in your loss. With love & sympathy, Joe & Pat
-- Joe & Pat(Wells) DePover

Mr. Brunsvold was a teacher of mine in high school at Sherrard. He was a great teacher and role model. I know that his life of public service was extraordinary and also was his career in teaching. His legacy in the teaching field is something that I will remember him for. My condolences to the family.
-- Becki Rogers-Neese

My thoughts and prayers are with the Brunsvold family. It didn't matter where I would run into Mr. Brunsvold, he would stop what he was doing, and with that smile on his face walk up to me, give me a kiss on the cheek and a hug and just ask how I was doing. I don't think he ever forgot one of his students. A great man who will defintely be missed by many. May you rest in peace.
-- Cindy Stewardson

To the Brunsvold Family and Friends, It was my pleasure to substitute for Joel when he was at Sherrard High School. It was also my pleasure to get to know him there when I was substituting for other faculty. He was respected by his students and the love he showed for them was a mutual love. His entry into politics was a continuation of his desire to serve humanity and make the world a better place. May your memories sustain you and give you comfort at this time and in the days ahead. May God give you strength and comfort at this difficult time. All who knew Joel have been blessed. May his wonderful smile show on all of us as we go forth serving humanity in his honor and memory.
-- Richard Wildermuth

Barb & Family- We are in shock of Joel’s passing and are praying that God guides you and your family with peace and comfort. Joel was a great friend and most of all avid hunter. Anyone close to Joel knew his love for the sport. I know he is teaching the other angels how to hunt as we speak. I will miss his weekly visits and our most of all his hugs! It was an honor knowing Joel.
-- Jenny Thomas (PBPA Legal Secretary)

Guestbook

I have fond memories of Joel Brunsvold, a larger than life figure that I met when I was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1986. He was a gentleman whose word was his bond. It was my privilege to have been able to work with him, go hunting with him and talking about ideas to keep Illinois afloat during this recession. I am a Republican, Joel was a Democrat, but we never let that divide us. I will miss him and our long talks in my office that we had over the last few years.

I extend my deepest sympathy to Joel’s family. He loved you very much. Joel was a good and decent man who worked hard for his constituents and his state. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I thank you for sharing Joel with the Illinois General Assembly and the State of Illinois for more than 20 years.

I am a better person for having known Joel Brunsvold. His memory will live forever in the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Representative Bill Black
-- William B. Black

Dear Barb and family, John and I are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Joel's death. What a fine man. I valued his friendship, his counsel, his humor, his honesty and his good sportsmanship over the years I served with him in the House. John still cherishes the trip he took with him to Alaska and the time spent with him, Bruce and Bruce's great family...not to mention the moose and salmon without end! (That ugly moose head is still hanging over our fireplace.) Joel was a true public servant in the finest sense of the word. Thanks for sharing him with us and the people of Illinois for so many years.
-- Peg Breslin

loss of a great man, and conservationist, he will be missed dearly
-- CPO Steven Vasicek

To the family of Mr. B. I think I can express our deepest sympathy to you from the entire SHS Class of 1980. Mr. B. was an outstanding teacher and a great man. God bless you and give you strength.
-- Arlene Richardson-Bewley

Ted my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family about the lost of your dad.We always had fun coming out me and Ray and Fountain swimming in the pool.Rock Island Rocks for life.ROBERT FOSTER.
-- ROBERT L. FOSTER JR

Mr. B was a speacial man. This man took me under his wing as soon as he arrived in Coyne Center. If it were not for this man my life would have been gravely different. What a teacher and mentor and loving person. Our world is truly a darker place without someone like this special man. I am so sorry I cannot be there to pay my last respects to a person that did so very much for me. To Barb, I am so sorry for your loss. For the kids, I am sorry for your loss but hope you all can someday know how much of a difference this man made in our world, especially mine. It was truly a pleasure and honor to know him and I wished I could have repaid him for all he did for me. Please let me know if there is anything you need. Brian Shelangouski
-- Brian Shelangouski

Dear Brunsvold Family: Thank you for sharing Joel with us here in Springfield and throughout the State for so many years. He was an exceptional individual, legislator and department director. He worked hard on behalf of his district, the State and sports enthusiasts everywhere. He always sought advice on how to make government work better for the people he served. He was serious about his duties, but he approached life with poise and humor. May God bring peace to your minds and hearts and sustain you during this sad time.
-- Jane Stricklin

It saddens us all about Rep. Brunsvold's passing, he was a great man and great leader. I remember the first day I met him when I was in high school, Mrs. Brunsvold had me called down to the office I thought I was in trouble. He will be missed, my deepest condolences to Mrs. Brunsvold and the family.
-- Clark Ramser

Barbara, Tim, Ted, and the entire Brunsvold family, our hearts are broken, and we are sadden by the loss of such a wonderful and caring individual such as Joel. As the boys' teacher, my first impression was of the father and family man who insisted on the best for his children and demanded their best im return. This emphasis on quality played out in the schools, the city, and throughout the state of Illinois. I honestly don't think I've ever seen Joel when he was not in an upbeat optimistic mood. A warm, friendly good-hearted man, a politician, if you will, (can you believe that one)who sincerely had the interest of others at heart! Although we did not get the opportunity to see him or the family in the last few years, the Brunsvold family has always been at the top of my list. You have much to be proud of in the Legacy of a Life Well Lived!
-- Dr. James R. & Louise Webster Davis

Sorry for your loss. A good man, a good leader for Illinois, and the DNR. Jerry Nichols..Former science teacher and friend of Brian.
-- Jerry Nichols

Joel was one in ten million to us! We worked with him for years in the State Legislature and always, beyond a doubt, he was caring, on top of issues and genuinely interested in makibng the right decisions for the people of the state. You shared Joel with us and for that, we thnk you and honor his memory always. Laurie and the thousands of children at Skip-a-Long who's lives he touched by his actions.
-- Laurel Walker

Barb and Family: Our sincere condolences in your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
-- Diane and Mike Kavanaugh

Barb..Having Joel as our next door neighbor has been A pleasure. He will be greatly missed.
-- Lyle & Lisa Lewis

Sincere condolences to the Brunsvold family. Joe was a great person, husband,father, and grandfather. I will always remember the great hunting times we shared. I remember one of the worst things that happened to Joe while hunting in Erie, Il.....he ran out of shotgun shells two hours after dove season opened and did not get his limit! Too many doves and not enough shells! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless, Tom and Cheryl Dasso
-- Thomas J Dasso

Barb and boys. Joel was an important part of my life for about 40 years. We met when my twin sister Betsy and I were in his first 5th grade class at Coyne Center Grade School. He had to start off teaching in the gym with other classes as our classroom was not finished being built. He always talked about how she and I got indential grades on every test(even after he put us in opposite corners of the room). He is the reason I chose to go to Augie and get a Biology degree. (Betsy has a degree in Biology, too.) Joel would sit with my family at church and we shared Easter Breakfast together after sunrise service many years. He was there for weddings and graduations. Our paths would cross professionally too through the years as I have worked 29 years with the Bi-State Regional Commission and Joel was at one time on our Board and we would be at several local events at the same time. Joel was very much loved by our family and will be greatly missed. Joel mom got the identical mother's day card from Betsy and I again this year. So I guess you will have to keep an eye on us from heaven, too. Patty( Appelquist) Pearson
-- Patty (Appelquist) Pearson

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Joel will be missed greatly. He always knew how to brighten our day when coming into the bank. We will miss that smile,but always will remember it.
-- Donna Poston

Barb & Family,

My sincere condolences to you and your family in your loss of Joel. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Kris (Hoskins-Shurtz)Novak
-- Kris Novak

Joel was a highly respected man in the Rock Island community. He was a loyal customer at the City Limits and a good friend. He will be greatly missed. Please know that your family has our deepest sympathies. May he Rest in Peace.
-- Bob, Tina, Jenna & Josh Anderson

On behalf of all of the Elsbury children who were blessed to know Mr. Brunsvold at Sherrard High, I send our condolences to the family. He was a very respectful man and touched us all.
-- Kristin Agosti