Joel Delbert Shiver, age 66, of Willard Missouri – also known as “Sonny” to family and friends in his home state of Wisconsin, passed away of cardiac arrest due to natural causes January 15, 2024. He was born in Madison Wisconsin March 9th, 1957 to Evelyn Mae Gundlach and Joel Clyde Shiver.

As a child, he was very outspoken and active. His siblings remember him as a brother that was quite adventurous. Sonny would ride his bike just about anywhere, exploring his community. He is also remembered for having a wonderful sense of humor. He loved to be a jokester, tease everyone around him and see the laughter and smiles on their faces.  He would produce the best imitations of anybody, spreading joy to others. He adored animals and even decided to “rescue” a rabbit from the neighbors which he kept in one of his dresser drawers for a time. He almost always had some sort of pet such as dogs and cats.

Joel was a very unique individual and was proud to be a Deaf man. He believed that Deaf civil rights were a priority and fought for the Deaf community to have equal access. He used American Sign Language to communicate and if he could have it his way, everyone would be Deaf and only use sign language. Joel had a soft spot in his heart for those with disabilities and became a bone donor after his time here on earth. This special donation may be used to help someone with a devastating injury walk again.

Joel attended Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan Wisconsin. While attending Wisconsin School for the Deaf, Joel created many fond memories of friends and was active in wrestling, football and has been called an All-Star basketball player. His classmates remember him as handsome, funny and a wonderful man. After graduating high school in 1975, Sonny left Wisconsin to attend Central Bible College in Springfield Missouri. CBC is where Joel met his former wife, Kristy. Joel graduated from CBC and he and Kristy raised two children together, Jill Whitman and Delbert Shiver (DJ).

Joel enjoyed the outdoors, and had many interests over the years such as hunting, fishing, photography, woodworking, taxidermy and anything that had a bit of oddity, such as unusual art or strange food. He also genuinely appreciated gardening and canning as a hobby. He enjoyed playing on Deaf sports leagues such as basketball and softball.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Mae Gundlach; biological father, Joel Clyde Shiver; step-father, Norbert King; brothers, Jeff King and Clyde Shiver.

Sonny is survived by his siblings, Vonda Jo Shiver, Connie M Poster (Sonny’s Irish twin), Raymond V King, Joe Joe Shiver and;  former wife and mother to his children, Kristy Lutze; Children, Jill Ada Whitman and Delbert Jay Shiver; grandchildren Benjamin Whitman, Raleigh Whitman, Elijah Shiver and Kaiden Shiver; Nieces and Nephews, Stacy M Gaustad, David E Martinson, Corrie L Vassalli, Tiffany R Poster, Robert L Poster, Joshua King, Demi R King and Jeffery King-Christianson

A visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 Saturday January 27, 2024 with the opportunity for family and close friends to share memories and stories about Joel around 4:00 PM at Greenlawn North Funeral home, located at 3506 North National, Springfield, MO 65803