Joel Carlson,78,of Edgewater, Florida, passed away in his home on June 24,2023 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Joel was born on November 26, 1944 in Rockford, Illinois. He was the son of Roland E. Carlson and Virginia A. (Johnson) Carlson.  Joel was a 1962 graduate of Rockford East High School. He attended North Park College.

Joel served with the Army at the US Embassy in Bolivia.  Upon his discharge, Joel returned to Rockford to complete his Plumbers and Pipefitters apprenticeship, following in  his father and grandfather's foot steps. He was employed as an Estimator for S. J. Carlson & Son, and later for Nelson-Carlson Mechcanical and Anderson-Dashney.

After retirement in 1999, Joel enjoyed volunteering with Wycliffe Bible Translators and Campus Crusade (CRU). He also had a passion for time with his family, classic cars, ski boats, and fishing.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (Smith)Carlson, daughter Julie Frice (Jim), son Brian (Jessica), grandson Drew Frice, and granddaughter Makenna Saavedra-Carlson, sisters Rogene Rockwell and Sherrill Wick, and many nieces and nephew's.

Celebration of life service at First Evangelical Free Church in Rockford, IL, at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 22nd.  Memorials to Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Rockford, IL, and Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL, 32862.