Joel Brooks Ladner, age 87, Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale, passed away August 4, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Brooks, as he was known to his friends and family, was born March 4, 1939, in Houston, Texas, the son of Argel Richmon Ladner and Helen Dale Scott Ladner.

Brooks was a graduate of Milby High School (Houston) and went on to attend the University of Houston, receiving his bachelor and master of architecture degrees in 1966 and 1985, respectively. Before beginning his teaching career in Illinois, Brooks was employed by the Houston architectural firm of Wilson, Morris, Crain and Anderson. In 1971, he relocated to Carbondale and joined the faculty at SIU, where he taught architecture until his retirement in 1999. Brooks was a long-time parishioner at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church and leaves behind many friends there and in surrounding Carbondale-Murphysboro area.

Brooks was preceded in death by his dear friend of fifty years, Warren Kent Werner, by his brother Jules Ladner and wife Marlene, and by his nephew Keith Ladner. He is survived by his sister Laura Ladner Pusch and husband Donald, by his nephew Stephen Ladner and wife Vickie Y'Barbo Ladner, by his niece Judith Pusch Williams and husband David, and by his grand nephew Daniel McClung and wife Susanna Shotwell McClung.

Brooks will be laid to rest in the Ladner burial garden at South Park Cemetery, Pearland, Texas.