Joseph R. McCord, 88, of Ionia passed away Sunday afternoon, February 14 at his home in
Easton Township. He is survived by his wife, Joan J. (Kernen) McCord, and children David and
Annette McCord, Linda Carr, and Todd and Rebecca McCord, grandchildren Christopher Carr, Lisa McCord, Amanda Ford, Michael McCord, Colleen Farrell, Emily Carr, and Joseph Glenn McCord and 16 great grandchildren.
Joe was the only child of David C. and Carrie [Kingston] McCord, born November 13, 1927. He attended the Welch School through 8th grade, then (with their own transportation) he and his cousins Royce and Morris attended Ionia High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps right after graduation in 1945 (he had been an Air Scout) and served in a radio shack in British Guiana, South America. Returning home in 1948, he joined his father in business at Dave's Gun Shop, training to be a gunsmith. Joe signed up for the Air Force Reserves, and was recalled from the reserves for 1 year active duty during the Korean War. Before putting on the new Air Force uniform, he wed Joan Kernen on October 21, 1950, eloping to Angola, Indiana. The newlyweds lived in Medford, OR, during Joe's year of service in the radio shack at the civilian airport there.
Returning to Ionia after the service, Joe rejoined the gunsmith business. His craftsmanship was rewarded with loyal clients throughout the country for over 20 years. The McCords built a home on the family's property in 1953, where the family still resides. He served on the School Board for his Alma Mater, Welch School, where his children attended. In 1972, he closed the gun shop, working for GenCorp in Ionia, the Gibson's in Greenville, then settling in as Grounds and Maintenance Director for Ionia County for 15 years. Elected to the County Board of Commissioners for one term, served on the Bertha Brock Park Advisory Board for 12 years, and was Easton Township Supervisor for 20 years.
Joe and Joan (a.k.a. Joni) also ran a business for many years called "The Showroom" (awards, trophies, and nameplates). Joe had been president of the Western Michigan Rifle & Pistol Club, the Ionia Lions Club (1969-70), and the Ionia Alumni Association (1995-2000). He received the American Legion's Veteran of the Year award in 2005. The McCords were active in the Ionia County Historical Society, Ionia County Genealogy Society, Ionia Fall Festival, Women's Festival and were Superintendents of the Art Department of the Ionia Free Fair for 4 years in the 1990s.
Joe was always a fan of automobiles, owning and restoring several classics over the years and
collecting dozens of metal model cars and books on the subject. He was also fond of reading histories and biographies, and a favorite pastime was visiting museums and historic sites. He leaves a legacy of community service, kindness and virtue that is seldom equaled. Joe McCord will be missed by many.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M., February 17, at Lake Funeral Home in Ionia with Pastor Cliff Allen officiating. Interment in Easton Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 4-7 P.M. and Wednesday 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Ionia Area Hospice or Ionia Commission on Aging. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ionia Sentinel from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17, 2016.