Joe Holbrook

Funeral services for Joe Holbrook, age 55, of Prescott, who died Thursday, May 6, 2010, at his home, will be held Monday, May 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home in Corning. Visitation will be Sunday from Noon to 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 2 to 4. Interment with military rites accorded by the Marine Corps Funeral Honor Guard will be held in the Murray Cemetery. Instead of flowers the family requests memorials be given in Joe's name. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Roland-Ritchie Funeral Home of Corning. Joseph Edward Holbrook was born August 29, 1954, in Corning, IA the son of John A. Holbrook and Jaris M. Kretzinger Holbrook. He grew up in Adams County and attended Corning Community Schools and graduated in 1972. He then joined the United States Marine Corps following graduation and was honorably discharged in March of 1977 as a Lance Corporal. After discharge from the Marines he attended Southwestern Community College in Creston for two years. Joe then managed several Places stores in Iowa and MO. In 1989 he started trucking. On July 6th, 1990 Joe was united in marriage to Cheryl Fizer in Prescott, Iowa. They resided in Osceola until January of 1991 when they purchased their home in Prescott, Iowa. He was the most loving husband anyone could ever ask for. Joe would make every gift to Cheryl extra special with a personal note just for her. Family was very important to Joe. He was a very loving husband, son, brother and uncle. Joe called his mother every day no matter where he was on the road and was very generous to his nieces and nephews. They all argued about who was his favorite, but in reality he loved each of them equally. As a brother you couldn't ask for anything better; he was always available whether it be a strong shoulder to lean on or to lend a helping hand. Joe represented the Holbrook name with pride; with a little orneriness mixed in. His sense of humor and kindness will be greatly missed. He was very patriotic and proud of being a Marine. He always said "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." He displayed his Marine memorabilia with pride whether it is in his clothing, in his home or his vehicles. Joe was generous to everyone he met; he would literally give the shirt off his back and then ask what else he could do. Joe also volunteered for many years as an EMT-B and fireman for the Prescott Fire and Rescue. Joe's hobbies included deer hunting, rodeos, and ponies. Recently he took up woodworking and made several priceless pieces of furniture that the family will always treasure. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cheryl of Prescott, mother Jaris Holbrook of Corning, mother-in-law Betty Kinne of Creston, sister Jeanne and husband Bill Birt of Prescott, brother John and wife Amy Holbrook of Clarinda, brother Jerry and wife Tracy Holbrook of Corning, sister Joyce and husband George Hoerman of Corning. He is also survived by four nephews, five nieces and 1 great-nephew and 2 great-nieces along with a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father John Holbrook in 2004, and his grandparents. Joe was a devoted man who loved his family and his country. His enthusiasm, humor and kindness will be missed by everyone.