Joseph Townsley
Joseph Townsley
Joseph Townsley
June 15, 1927 – July 23, 2014
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 87
Served with Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
Joseph F. Townsley, 87, of Oskaloosa died Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born June 15, 1927, at Melcher, Iowa, the son of James C. and Irene Hiltabidel Townsley.
Joseph served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. On November 11, 1947, he was united in marriage to Janet Hockey at Lancaster, Missouri; she died December 16, 1999.
Joe was a fireman with the Oskaloosa Fire Department for over 23 years. He and Janet also owned and operated Townsley Real Estate in Oskaloosa for 20 years. On May 25, 2002, Joe was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Bettie” Nagurski at Cloquet, Minnesota.
In retirement, Joe enjoyed spending his summers in Minnesota and his winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. He was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Lodge. Joe enjoyed playing shuffleboard. He competed in the Shuffleboard Tournament at the Senior Olympics in Des Moines.
His family includes his wife Bettie Townsley and her two sons and daughters of Cloquet, Minnesota; a daughter and her husband, Pamela and Eich Kuntz of Rose Hill; daughter in law, Anita Townsley of Toledo, Iowa; six grandchildren: Allison (Darvin) Graham, Michelle (Justin) Boender, Olivia (Brent) Smith, Eich (Dixie) Kuntz, Jr., Rebecca (Jake) Klett, and Brett (Jaci) Kuntz; thirteen great grandchildren: Lane, Noah, and Zechariah Boender, Caeden and Nora Smith, Caitlyn, Grace, Josephine, and Abigail Kuntz, Troy, Cole, and Lorelai Klett, and Morley Kuntz.
In addition to his first wife, Joe was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Charles Townsley; a great granddaughter, Elle Smith; two sisters: Della Smith and Florence Cox; and three brothers: Thomas “Doc” Townsley, Lawrence Townsley and James Townsley.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 28, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Reverend Robb Bruns officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W.
Visitation will begin Sunday after 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 3-5 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Oskaloosa Fire Department Equipment Fund.
