Joseph Alcorn

Joseph Doyle “Joe” Alcorn

September 19, 1976 - August 21, 2026

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Joseph Doyle Alcorn, lovingly known as “Joe” or “Joey,” who left us far too soon on August 21, 2026 at the age of 49.

Joe was born on September 19, 1976, in Belleville, Kansas. He was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, colleague, and friend. Throughout his life, Joe touched countless lives, just as so many people touched his.

From the very beginning, Joey held an especially treasured place in his family. He came into the world following the heartbreaking loss of his sister, Jessica, and his arrival brought renewed joy and hope to his family. He was the first grandson on his father’s side and the first of his generation to carry on the Alcorn surname—a distinction he cherished and carried with great pride.

Joey was also born on the birthday of his paternal grandmother, Barbara Alcorn. They shared much more than a birthday. The two had a beautiful and enduring bond that remained incredibly special throughout her life.

Joe began school in Platteville, Colorado, and later attended grade school in Gilcrest. When he was 12, his family moved to Oregon. He graduated from North Eugene High School in 1995 and later attended the University of Oregon, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Management. His choice of study reflected something that would remain important throughout his life: a genuine desire to serve others and be involved in his community.

Service took many forms throughout Joe’s life. He served as an infantryman in the Oregon Army National Guard, was a volunteer firefighter, served on the board of Habitat for Humanity, and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Whether through military service, emergency response, community involvement, or simply helping those around him, Joe believed in contributing wherever he could.

Professionally, Joe built a career in real estate and became a licensed real estate appraiser. His work suited his natural ability to connect with people, and over the years he developed an extraordinary network of friends, clients, and colleagues. He strategically moved into public administration and had accepted the position of Administrator for the City of Mankato, Kansas. A position Joe was eager to fulfill and proudly viewed as the culmination of his professional life’s work.

Anyone who knew Joe knew about his gift of gab. He could walk into just about any room, join just about any conversation, and, before long, seem as though he had been part of it all along. Whether the subject was familiar to him or completely new, Joe could find common ground. He was genuinely curious about people and the world around him, and he never lost his desire to learn something new whenever the opportunity presented itself. That curiosity followed Joe home, where some of his greatest joys were found simply spending time with his family.

On March 26, 2011, Joe married Caitlin “Cait” Shinn in Eugene, Oregon. Meeting during a season of change in both of their lives, their relationship grew through the light they provided each other. Joe stole Cait’s heart with his piercing blue eyes and an invitation to play on his soccer team. They cultivated their relationship through friendship, love, hard work, adventures, and a shared curiosity for the world and people. Together, they built a life and family centered around their two children, Levi and Allison “Allie”.

Joe and his son, Levi, shared an especially close bond. They loved working together in the garage, tinkering with old tractors, taking on projects, and figuring out how things worked. Just as special were the simple times—driving around in the Jeep, talking, exploring, and enjoying each other’s company. For Joe, it was never just about the tractor, the Jeep, or whatever project happened to be in front of them. It was the time he and Levi spent together, the memories they made along the way, and the belly laughs they shared.

Joe shared an equally deep pride in and love for his daughter, Allison “Allie.” He was the first person to hold her and she instantly had him wrapped around her finger. He loved watching her grow and excel in every activity she pursued. He is responsible for Allie’s love of dance. It was Joe who signed her up for her first ballet class and she hasn’t stopped dancing since. He took great joy in seeing her talents, personality, and accomplishments unfold, and he was always proud to be her dad.

Joe loved his children deeply. Of all his accomplishments and all the roles he held throughout his life, Levi and Allie’s father was among those he treasured most.

Joe built a remarkable network of friendships over a lifetime of conversations, experiences, work, and service. Joe’s most treasured friendship was with his brother Stevan, his best friend and anchor through all of his life’s seasons. Their deep bond gave him a place to seek counsel, share his dreams, and confide in his greatest joys and sorrows. Particularly meaningful were the close friendships he shared with his chosen brothers, the Cattlemen, a brotherhood which held a special place in his life and a community for his family.

Joe is survived by his wife, Caitlin Alcorn; his son, Levi Alcorn; and his daughter, Allison “Allie” Alcorn. He is also survived by his mother, Susan Pierce; his father, Jack Alcorn; his brother, Stevan Alcorn, and his wife, Katie; his sister, Chrisinthia Archambeau, and her husband, Jon; his father- and mother-in-law, Craig and Kathy Shinn; his sister-in-law, Lark Pelling; and his brother- and sister-in-law, Erin and Lisa Shinn.

He is also survived by his nephews, Tyson, Cameron, Kevin, and Gabriel Archambeau, Brett Alcorn, Eli Gould, and Lachlan Shinn; and his nieces, Claire Alcorn, Maya Gould, Gwendolyn Shinn.

Joe also leaves behind a large and loving extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends, as well as countless colleagues and others whose lives were touched by his friendship and presence.

Joe was preceded in death by his sister, Jessica; his grandparents, Cecil and Peggy Pierce and Doyle and Barbara Alcorn; his aunts, Charline Snyder and Kathy Pierce; his uncle, Roger Reiter; and other beloved family members who went before him.

Although Joe’s passing leaves an emptiness that words cannot adequately describe, his family finds comfort in imagining the homecoming that awaited him. It is easy to picture the joy of Joey being reunited with Jessica, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the other loved ones who went before him.

Joey was deeply loved from the moment he entered this world. He knew how special he was to his family and was proud of where he came from and the family name he carried. That love did not end with his passing. It lives on through Caitlin, Levi and Allie, his parents, his brother and sister, his extended family, and the remarkable number of friends whose lives are forever changed because Joey was part of them.

Joseph Doyle “Joey” Alcorn was a wonderful son, a loving husband and father, a beloved brother, and a loyal friend. He was ours. We loved him dearly, and we will carry him with us always.

Services for Joey will be held Saturday Sept. 12th at 10am at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, KS. A celebration of life will also be held Saturday Sept. 19th in Eugene, OR with time and location to be later announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

~In Joe’s name to The Jewell County Historical Society (118 N. Commercial St., Mankato, KS 66956)

~A fund established to support Joe’s young family (Levi, Allie & Cait) now and in the future.