Joseph Benjamin Houk, Topeka, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Homestead Assisted Living in Topeka. He was born Dec. 24, 1931, in Moran, the son of Clarence Allen and Mary Ann Reade Houk.
He graduated from Moran High School with the class of 1950. He served our country in the U.S. Navy. His service included the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War and he retired with more than 20 years of service. While on a 30-day leave, he met and married Martha JoAnn Werner on May 10, 1959, in Moran. She preceded him in death on Sept. 1, 2007.
From 1961 to 1968 he owned and operated Houk Insurance Agency in Moran. Joseph served in the Civil Service with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in South Dakota and later at Haskell Indian Nations University, which he greatly enjoyed. He was an avid KU Jayhawk fan who also enjoyed traveling. He was proud to be a 50-year plus member of both the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion where he served as Post Commander in Moran. He was a member of the Paint Creek Church.
Survivors include a son, Kurtis Houk, Saudi Arabia; four daughters, Karen Jones and husband Mike, Oak Harbor, Wash., Nancy Izett and husband Cory, Whitefish, Mont., Jan Crawford and husband Steve, Topeka, and Lori Stephens and husband Rick, Bronson; a sister-in-law, Shirley Houk, Olathe; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, C.A. Houk, Jr., John W. Houk, and Marion D. Houk; as well as his parents.
The Rev. Chub Bolling and Lloyd Houk will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Joseph Houk
