Joe Church, 88, of Colony died at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011.
Joe was born two miles north of Lone Elm on March 15, 1923, the youngest child of Arthur and Ruth (Marshall) Church. As a boy living near Deer Creek north of Lone Elm, he loved his horses, fishing and hunting. Joe began farming at a young age, learning to work horses in the fields. He attended school in Lone Elm and graduated from Kincaid High School in 1941.
On March 5, 1945, he married Doris Garver in Iola. They had four children and enjoyed 66 years together. Joe was a lifelong farmer and stockman. He was always a horseman and he took great pride in his horses and mules. He loved the raising, breaking and competing with his horses. Later in life, he took an interest in raising and breaking mules. He also worked with area farmers when they needed an extra hand or a rope.
Joe competed in many rodeos and shodeos. His covered wagon made many area parades being pulled by his team of oxen and later his team of mules. He also enjoyed gardening and was known for his watermelon and cantaloupe.
He is survived by his wife, Doris, of the home; four children, Patty Jo Ramsey and her husband, Deane, Lone Elm, Linda Ellis and her husband, Vernon, “Slug” of LaCygne, and Susan Luedke and her husband, Jerry, and Jody Church, Colony; 10 grandchildren, Don, Dan, and Dusty Ramsey, Angie Terry, Ryan and Nathan Ellis, Jared and Justin Luedke and Cody and Casey Church; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne and Dale Church, two sisters, Sarah Ruth Barron and Dorothy Walter, and three great-grandchildren, Megan and Regan Ramsey and Jaden Terry.
Funeral services were this morning at 10 a.m. at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Colony. Burial was in Lone Elm Cemetery.
Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Joe Church
