02/23/2026
DeeDee Gould's Dad Passed away Saturday
She says ""What can I say about this man. He was the first man that loved me. He taught me what strength is. He taught me how to handle adversity and how to deal with conflict. He showed me what hard work is and the benefits of it. He showed me how to care. And although we didn't say it he showed me what true love is. I am going to miss this man with all my heart. If you know him you know how caring and generous he was. The world will not be the same without him in it. Rest in peace dad. Until we meet again. I love you!" ❤️
Joseph D. Didier of Sugar Grove passed into his eternal life on February 21, 2026 at home surrounded by his family. He was born March 24, 1943 to parents Joseph C. and Irene (Spohn) Didier in Rochelle, IL. He was raised in Mendota, IL attending Holy Cross Grade School and Mendota High School graduating with the class of 1961.
After high school he attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and also received his Associate Degree in Accounting from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove. After leaving Southern Illinois he worked many different jobs. During this time, he met his future wife, Mary Myers, in 1962, when mutual friends introduced them. They were married on October 31, 1964 in Earlville, IL.
Joe graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy in August of 1965 and retired with 30 years of service. During the same time, he also owned and operated D & S Painting for over 40 years. His daughters and grandchildren worked for him and learned from him his strong work ethic.
Outside of working two jobs, he coached little league baseball and his girls in summer softball. He was the chairman of the Sesquicentennial parade for Sugar Grove in 1984. He served on the Sugar Grove Corn Boil committee for several years and was honored as Sugar Grove Citizen of the Year in 2013. Joe belonged to Knights of Columbus #4849 for years and earned Knight of the Month multiple times.
Joe was the rock of his family. He provided for and supported them his entire life. He never stopped worrying about them no matter their age. He will forever be missed.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of over 61 years Mary M. (Myers) Didier, his three daughters Denise (Greg) Gould, Dawn (Denis Sheehan) Didier, Deborah (John) Foy. His grandchildren Justin (Brooke) Nelson, Eric (Jamie) Nelson, Nichole Nelson (Liam Towers), Matt (Sarah) Jordan, Rebekkah (Carl) Schweda, Kya Blight, Ashley Wojciechowski, Logan Wojciechowski, Gregory (Ashley) Gould, DJ (Jessie) Gould, Liam (Katy) Foy, and his 11 great-grandchildren Bennett & Cameron Nelson, Brooks & Kennedy Nelson, Lucas Jordan, Persephone Schweda, Aubrey, Greyson & Colton Gould, and Jake and Amelia Gould. His sisters Marilyn (Leon) Walker, Diane Bell, and Rita Martens. His brothers-in-law Larry (Phyllis) Myers, Bill (Marti) Myers, Don (Cindy) Myers, and sister-in-law Loretta Malley and many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph & Irene Didier, his in-laws Jack & Peg Myers, his brothers-in-law Rick Bell, Mike Martens, Archbishop John Myers and Ed Malley, and sisters-in-law Elizabeth Myers, Elaine Myers, and Barb Myers.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 from 3-8 pm at Healy Chapel in Sugar Grove with Rosary at 7 pm. The funeral mass will be Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10 am at Holy Angels Church in Aurora, IL. Arrangements are being handled by Healy Chapel in Sugar Grove.
