Joseph B. Stevenson

Joseph B. Stevenson, 93, passed away Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. at CoxHealth Medical Center in Springfield, MO.

Friends are invited to celebrate his life at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Canton on Thursday, Nov. 13. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. with the service immediately following.

Burial will be at the Kahoka Cemetery after the service.

Joe was born on Sept. 11, 1932 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Bertrum and Frieda Stevenson. He married Waneta Gram on July 7, 1957 in Kahoka, MO.

He is survived by his wife Waneta, twin brother Cecil, son Joe (Beckie) Stevenson of Boynton Beach, FL, daughter Joni (Randy) Frevert of Springfield, MO, grandsons Kyle (Melissa) Frevert of Springfield and Ryan (Aimee) Frevert of Meridianville, AL, granddaughters Lexi Stevenson of Deerfield Beach, FL and Tori Stevenson of Boynton Beach, FL, great-grandsons Hayden and Heath Frevert of Meridianville and nephew Dirk (Beth) Stevenson of Hinesville, GA,

He was preceded in death by his infant grandson Tyler Stevenson and his sister-in-law Patricia Stevenson.

Joe graduated from Kahoka High school in 1950 and from Central Methodist College in 1954. He earned his master's degree at Kirksville State Teachers College (now Truman State University).

Joe was a high school teacher and basketball coach at Williamstown, LaGrange and Aledo, IL before moving to Canton in 1968. He and Waneta owned the Western Auto store in Canton for 27 years. After selling the store, he drove the OATS bus and was later a school bus driver. He also mowed several yards.

Joe and his twin brother worked as smoke jumpers in Missoula, MT for two summers during their college years. They enlisted in the Army and served in the 11th Airborne as paratrooper medics from 1954 to 1957.

Joe lived an active and full life, spending a great deal of time in the outdoors hunting, fishing, riding horses and working with his bird dogs, all with Waneta alongside.

They loved to compete in shoot-to-retrieve trials with their dogs, doing so for more than three decades. As well as riding their horses, they enjoyed having local school children ride their horses, either at their house or various places around town.

Joe was an avid reader and an ace at Scrabble.

He and Waneta also were avid sports fans and fixtures at Canton High School athletic events.

Memorials can be made to the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Canton, or to Rescue One, a foster-based animal rescue in Springfield, MO, at rescueonespringfield.com/donate.