Joe Church

Joe Church, age 88, of Colony, Kansas, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Joe was born two miles north of Lone Elm, Kansas on March 15, 1923, the youngest child of Arthur and Ruth (Marshall) Church. As a boy living near Deer Creek north of Lone Elm, Joe 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, Joe married Doris Garver in Iola, Kansas. They were blessed with 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, Joe 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. Joe's 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 was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ruth Church; two brothers Wayne Church and Dale Church; two sisters, Sarah Ruth Barron and Dorothy Walter; three great grandchildren Megan and Regan Ramsey and Jaden Terry. Joe is survived by his wife, Doris Church, of the home; four children, Patty Jo Ramsey and husband Deane of Lone Elm, Kansas; Linda Ellis and husband Vernon "Slug" of LaCygne, Kansas; Susan Luedke and husband Jerry of Colony, Kansas; Jody Church of Colony; ten grandchildren; Don, Dan, and Dusty Ramsey; Angie Terry; Ryan and Nathan Ellis; Jared and Justin Luedke; Cody and Casey Church; fourteen great grandchildren; two great great grandsons; many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Colony, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Lone Elm Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00 p. m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Colony. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association and left in care of the funeral home.