Joe Espinosa Obituary
May 13, 1934 - Sep 16, 2013
Crescent, Iowa. Born in Council Bluffs to the late Bernadino and Katherina (Rieser) Espinosa. He graduated Thomas Jefferson High School in 1952 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Joe married Sylvia Elonich on July 25, 1959. Joe served on the Council Bluffs Fire Department for 29 years retiring in 1989 as assistant Fire Chief. He was a member of Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus Council #10805, where he was the past Grand Knight and was a member of the 4th Degree. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Allison Espinosa; brothers, George, John, Fred and Robert; sisters, Lucille Ellerbeck, Mary MacDonald, Helen Espinosa and Marsha Lee Espinosa. Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sylvia Espinosa of Crescent; daughters, Toni (fiancé, Kurt Petersen) Senter of Council Bluffs, Julie (Dan) Kuhn of Tampa, Florida; son, John (Kathleen) Espinosa of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 8 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter; brothers, Frank (Janice) Espinosa of Clinton, Iowa, Jim Espinosa of Laguna Woods, California; sisters, Margaret Judkins, Dorothy Hempel and Helen Sousa all of Council Bluffs; many nieces and nephews.
Wake service, Tuesday, 6pm followed by VISITATION with the family until 8pm at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Wednesday, 10:30am at Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery with full military rites. A lunch will follow at Queen of the Apostles Social Hall. Memorials are suggested to Queen of the Apostles Church or Knights of Columbus Council #10805. A special thanks to Hospice with Heart for the wonderful care given to Joe and our entire family during this difficult time. CUTLER-O'NEILL-MEYER-WOODRING
Bayliss Park Chapel
545 Willow Ave., Council Bluffs, IA
712-322-7779
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Darrell Nation
September 29, 2019
Joe and Sylvia have been my friends for many years. Joe and I graduated from T.J. high school in 1952 and I always remember he kept me from being the shortest boy in the class. I hope he is RIP
Bruce Meyer
September 22, 2013
Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to the family during this difficult time.May Joe rest in peace. God be with you.
Bruce and Fern Meyer
Joel Peters
September 21, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
September 20, 2013
Worked with my dad on the fire department for years. Joe was such a nice guy. Dad use to tell me about te tims Joe use to cook his peppers and tomatos sause working up a sweat. RIP Joe you were one of the few.
Terry Lainson
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September 20, 2013
Joe worked with my dad on the fire department for many years. He was just a really nice guy. My dad use to tell me about Joe cooking his peppers and tomato sause at the fire house. Just working up a sweat. RIP Joe you are one of the few.
Tom Judkins
September 19, 2013
My Uncle Joe showed me amny things over the years I was lucky enough to have him in my life. How to care for your family and a strong work ethic are probably the biggest traits. Your family should know, I am available if any of you needs anything going forward. Lots of love!
Mark & Tami Mendell
September 19, 2013
Joe and Sylvia have been such wonderfully warm and welcoming neighbors. Sylvia, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
Suzanne Schoonen
September 19, 2013
John, My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. May God lighten your hearts and bring you comfort and peace to help you through this difficult time.
Steven Elonich
September 18, 2013
Joe was always a joy to see at the family reunions. We will all miss him immensely. Take care Sylvia, Toni and everyone. You all are in my thoughts.
Cindy and Jerry Mathiasen
September 18, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Nancy & Jim Majeski
September 18, 2013
I first met Joe in the 8th grade at Longfellow School and remember him as a quiet guy..then we both graduated from TJHS and to read of all his accomplishments in life of service to his country, fireman, and a Knight of Columbus is a life well lived. May he rest in peace. Our heartfelt sympathy to his wonderful family.
Mary Tierney
September 18, 2013
Joe and I were classmates at TJ. Later on I visited with him many times after mass at Queens and the various activities of the parish. He always had a warm smile and kind words for all. May God grant his family peace and love and may your memories help to ease your sorrow. - Mary Hopkins Tierney
Stephanie Paladino
September 18, 2013
Dear Sylvia,
Sending thoughts and prayers to you upon the loss of your dear Joe. He had a smile that could light up the world.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Mesic Paladino
GIL JENSEN
September 18, 2013
A brother in Christ & great classmate of the Class of 52. What a great reunion we will have in HEAVEN when the LORD calls me HOME. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF LOSS!
ABSENT FROM THE BODY, PRESENT WITH THE LORD!!!!
Darrell Nation
September 18, 2013
Our most sincere condolence goes out to Joe's family!!
I graduated from highschool with Joe and he kept me from being the shortest boy in the class.
Mark Miner
September 18, 2013
My heart goes out to Sylvia and the Family. Joe will always be remebered as a great guy and an awesome neighbor, I feel pretty lucky growing up across the street from the Espinosas
Tim and Wendy
September 18, 2013
Wendy and I did not have the opportunity to meet Joe; however we have worked with his son John for many years (who is a wonderful man who we are sure that Joe was proud of). Our sympathies go out to your family during this trying period.
September 18, 2013
My sympathies and my heart go out to the whole family, especially to Sylvia. It's never easy to lose a loved one. You are - and will continue to be - in my prayers.
Sue Anson
Mike O'Bradovich
September 18, 2013
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of Joe. My whole family was touched by his kind and gentle spirit. He welcomed everyone with a broad, warm smile. For me, I always felt that Joe was one of the most courageous men I had ever met, both as a fire fighter and then as he faced his health battles later in life. His presence will leave a great hole for all of us who knew him.
Linda Elonich
September 17, 2013
My heartfelt sympathies and much love to the entire Espinosa family, who have treated me with the greatest love and accepted me in as if they were my own family. Uncle Joe, a huge loss....helped me through my illness by sharing his. Both those battles are done but the one we lost is crushing. Great love to Aunt Sylvia, Toni, Kurt, Alicia, Vanessa....everyone.
Bill Fead
September 17, 2013
Thanks for your Military Service to Our Country.
Past Commander V.F.W.
Kay White
September 17, 2013
To Joe's family,
May God grace look down upon your needs in this time of sorrow and his love to take Sir Joe to his place in heaven.
Sir Myron (Knight of Columbus), Kay and Jessica White
Anne Brunko
September 17, 2013
I enjoyed working with Joe on the fire department. He was truly a nice guy! My deepest condolences to Sylvia and his family. May God be with you in your sorrow.
September 17, 2013
Toni, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.Linda (Thomas) Haven
sharone clevenger
September 17, 2013
Joe and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you.
Sally Parrack
September 17, 2013
Uncle Joe, you were always there for us when we grew up. I remember you coming to Gram's house on Sunday mornings to pick us up to go to church at St. Francis. I will forever remember you and your kindness. You have ONE TERRIFIC family. I love you always, Sally
don Osborne & family
September 17, 2013
Joe was a real nice guy to work with in the knights of columbus and the fire dept.
Daron Kruse
September 17, 2013
Joe is wonderful man with a heart of gold. He works so hard for others. If there were more like Joe this world would be a far better place. I admire Joe like he's my father.
Elizabeth Judkins
September 17, 2013
This is a time of great sadness. The loss of our uncle Joe is very significant to our family. He was a comitted and kindhearted patriarch of the Espinosa family. I know my children and I will greatly miss his smiling face and generous words and actions. My thoughts and love go out to his loved ones.
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545 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
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