Joseph Lee Maloney, Sr., 73, Iola died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Fla.
He was born July 13, 1939 in Iola to Helen and Joe Maloney. He was the oldest of six children. He joined the Kansas National Guard in July 1956 and served until July 1964. He began working for local carpenters and construction companies. It was while building houses in the Ozarks that he met and married Lavonda Williams on July 15, 1966. They made their home in Iola. They had six children, and raised a granddaughter. He and his wife owned and operated Maloney Construction and Maloney’s Greenhouse in Iola until their retirement. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, going to casinos and visiting family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Lavonda; his children, Tina Maloney and Chris Moore, Gulf Breeze, Fla., Ann Lea and husband Brad, Iola, Joseph Maloney, Jr. and wife Kerri, Pensacola, Fla., Shirley Mitchell, Paris, Tenn., Patricia Tilton, Iola, Renee’ Leavitt, Pensacola, Fla.; his grandchildren, Hanna Mefford, Iola, Heidi Mefford, Gulf Breeze, Fla., Chelsea, Matt, Morgan and Jake Lea, Iola, Suzanna Lea, Colony, Joseph III, Darren, Kaitlyn and Ashley Maloney, Pensacola, Fla., Thomas, Brian and Derrick Mitchell, Paris, Tenn., Jimmy and Ivy Tilton, Iola; one great-granddaughter, Brooklynn Mefford, Iola; three brothers, Earl and wife Janice, Fort Scott, Dale and Jimmy, Iola; one sister, Diana Duckworth and husband Chuck, Victoria, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Joe Maloney, his in-laws, Blanche and Bill Hitchcock, Ava, Mo., his brother Leon Maloney, infant son Darren Maloney and infant grandson Mason Maloney.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will take place at a later date with burial at Highland Cemetery.
Joseph Maloney
