Joel Popenfoose

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Joel Popenfoose, 64, of Huntley, Illinios, died Thursday, March 16, 2023. 

He was born Dec. 20, 1958 in Columbia City, Indiana.

Longtime Huntley, Illinios coach and preacher Joel Popenfoose had a heart for students. Joel was the founder of Westlake Community Church in Huntley and led the worship team with a killer set of pipes.

Joel is the husband of Kim Laue whose mother, Beth Carlson, grew up on Johnson Street in Wakefield, Nebraska. When on vacation in the rolling hills of Nebraska, Joel often filled in to preach for the Wakefield community. You may have heard him preaching and singing while Kim was jamming on the piano at the Wakefield Christian Church or the Covenant Church. 

Joel had a constant stream of jokes and one-liners. He badly wanted to believe in Sasquatch and fully endorsed the film “Troll Hunter.” Joel loved golfing with his kids, listening to good music, watching creature features, hassling his daughters-by-law, Victoria and Kelsey, chasing his grandkids - Mia, Bane, Rose, and Tatum - with the green monster mask on, and sitting with his family making jokes and eating some good deep dish pizza.

He will be missed by his wife, Kim, and children: Adam, Luke, Casey, Marcus, and Myra.