William Joslin
Oskaloosa. William E. Joslin, 83, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, December 3, 2010, at Oakwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Albia. He was born April 8, 1927, at Brown County, Kansas, the son of Don and Audry Partlow Joslin. As early in life as he could, he enlisted in the United States Navy, he served on the USS Macoffin. He was discharged from the Navy at the United States Naval Air Station at Alameda, California, on February 9, 1948. He remained in California following his discharge, and learned to be a sheet metal worker. In the mid 1940’s he was united in marriage to Barbara Colburn, they later divorced. He worked at a sheet metal shop in Bakersfield, California for several years. He then moved to Kansas and continued to work with sheet metal. Lastly he worked for Backman Sheet Metal in Des Moines; he retired from there in 1984. On May 4, 1968, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Burnham at Grinnell, Iowa. In retirement they moved back to Kansas for a time, and in 2006 moved to Oskaloosa. He enjoyed woodworking and making miniature furniture. He also enjoyed refinishing: old furniture, farm equipment and antiques. He was a member of the Local 45 in Des Moines, the Oskaloosa American Legion Post # 34, and the V.F.W. Post 2237.
Bill is survived by his wife Carolyn Joslin of Oskaloosa; a daughter: Jill Clyne of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; two sons: Kevin (& Susan) Burnham of Oskaloosa, and Kenneth (& Angie) Burnham of Des Moines; six grandchildren: Jeffrey Joslin, Kristin (& Richard) Lostetter, Maxwell Burnham, Willi Burnham, Christopher Collins, and Megan Collins; six great grandchildren: Evan Lostetter, Emily Lostetter, Shelby Joslin, Taylor Joslin, Jenna Joslin, and Christian Collins; numerous nieces and nephews including a special niece: Yvonne (& Earl) Schwang; and a special nephew: Elmer (& Joan) Randall.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son: Douglass Edward Joslin; a stepson: Keith Burnham; a son in law: John Clyne; six brothers: Don, Lewis, Walter, Charles, Loren, and Peter Joslin; and five sisters: Emmaline Meugniot, Letha Randall, Esther Spears, Margaret Duncan, and Corrine Joslin.
As was his wish his body has been cremated and no services are planned. The Bates Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
