JOSEPH RAYMOND EVERHART

Joseph Raymond Everhart was born April 21, 1942 to William Ezra and Mary Iva (Weatherman) Everhart at a farmhouse in Bedison, Missouri. He attended Udora Country School from first grade to eighth grade. He then attended high school at Quitman for ninth and tenth grade and later attended Clearmont for eleventh and twelfth grade and graduated in 1960. He was baptized in the Methodist Church. He was the youngest of nine children.
Joe met his wife, Linda Johnson, at a barn dance in rural Bedford and they were married June 1, 1963 at the Blockton Methodist Church. To this union, two daughters were born: Valerie Dee and Carla Jo.
Joe worked as a cook at a hotel in Clarinda after high school. He later worked various jobs such as construction, building bridges and roads, running heavy equipment, worked on the railroad as a machine operator for the Chicago Northwestern, became an MFA fertilizer plant manager, farmed at home and finally worked as a correctional officer in Clarinda and Maryville.
Joe never met a stranger and would always greet you with a smile, a fun-loving personality and a peppermint. He was known for his wonderful bear hugs and “whisker rubs”. He loved his friends, family and his special pet, Sissy, dearly. He was a 54-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed his music, where he loved to sing, dance and play his guitar, especially at family gatherings. Joe would enjoy the outdoors where he would go golfing, fishing and hunting. He could be found reading a western book or playing card games with his friends and family. Farming was not only an occupation for Joe but a passion.
Joe was a hard-working, outgoing man. He will be missed by his family and his many friends. We will miss his laughter, his love, his hugs and his relentless teasing.
Joe passed away at his home in Athelstan, Iowa with family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents; William and Mary Everhart; parents-in-law, Carl and Helen Johnson; brothers, William Everhart, Jr., Jesse Everhart and Robert Everhart; sisters, Anna Mae Banks, Ermil Vance and Irene Nelson; brothers-in-law, Jim Lawrence, Doyle Lawrence and Ivan Groff; nieces and nephews, Brian Lawrence, David Everhart and Jeannie Vorhies.
Joe is survived by his wife, Linda of the home; daughters, Valerie (J.D.) Hensley of Lenox and Carla (Ken) Boenish of Winter Park, Colorado; grandchildren, Callin (Nika) Cummings, Autumn (Chris) Carparelli, Eric (Kylie) Hensley, Lauren Hensley and Jared Hensley; great-grandchildren, Rayne Cummings and Nelli Carparelli; brother, Eldon (Barb) Everhart; sister, Phyllis Morrison; sisters-in-law, Marvel Melvin and Sharon Groff; brother-in-law, Rick (Alice) Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
Services were at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2019 at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton, Iowa.
Officiating was Rev. Tim Maxa.
Songs were “I Want To Stroll Across Heaven With You” and “Where Rainbows Never Die”.
Casket bearers were Callin Cummings, Eric Hensley, Jared Hensley, Clint Johnson, Dakota Johnson and Colton Johnson.
Honorary casket bearers were Autumn Carpanelli, Lauren Hensley, Cassie Johnson, Rick Johnson, Dave Maxson, Stanton Naill, Cale Briner and Harold Dye.
Burial was at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton, Iowa.
Memorials are in his name to be decided later.