02/09/2019
Joe Edward Kennedy was born on October 1, 1936, at Knoxville, Iowa. He was the son of Marvin Dwight Kennedy and Flossie Fae (Faidley) Kennedy.
Joe graduated from Knoxville High School with the class of 1955. He enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard and served from 1954 to 1962.
On December 1, 1956, Joe and Audrey May Sytsma was united in marriage at Knoxville, Iowa and to this union, three children were born: Cynthia Jo, Sandra Kay, and Joe Edward, Jr. Audrey and Joe lived most of their married lifetime at Flagler, Iowa.
During most of this time, Audrey’s life was dedicated to taking care of their daughter, Cynthia Jo, since her birth.
Cynthia Jo passed away in 1989 at the age of 29 years. Joe worked at Vermeer Manufacturing, Shinn trucking, Hubbard, and Sun Feed and eventually operated White Way Mill. He enjoyed the feed business. Joe loved to fish and spend time down in Branson, Missouri.
Joe passed away on February 9, 2019, at the Westridge Nursing Center at the age of 82.
Joe is survived by two children and their families.
They are:
Sandra and Steven Binns of Knoxville, Iowa
Hollie and Chris Murphy
Cole, Katelyn, Brianna, Breyden
Heather and Patrick Ragland
Natalie, Carter
Scott and Desiree Binns
Keegan, Westley, Freya, Makenna
Joe Kennedy and Tarene Vanderpol of Knoxville, Iowa
Kyle Kennedy
Sarah and Randy Francis
Of his original family, Joe leaves his brothers, Cecil Kennedy and Carl Sailors, both of Knoxville. Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia, his parents, stepfather, Hap Sailors, brothers, Leo Kennedy and LeRoy Sailors, along with his children’s mother, Audrey Kennedy, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Sytsma of Knoxville, and a sister-in-law, Marge Vanderwerff of Pella.
Burial with military honors will be made in the Graceland Cemetery at Knoxville.
Visitation will begin Thursday after 2:00 p.m. and the family will be present Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the Columbia United Methodist Church.