Mr. Joe added a spark of magic and fun to every situation! On more than one occasion we huddled in his basement during a tornado and he brought us "fancy drinks" (juice with an umbrella straw) that made us feel special. I always loved how he bought new Christmas lights every year so he didn't have to worry about untangling last year's and would race my mom to get them up (and would let us touch Mrs. Ellen's fancy flocked Christmas tree to see if "the snow" was real when she wasn't looking- oops sorry Mrs. Ellen!)

We are endlessly grateful to have so many wonderful memories with Mr. Joe and feel blessed to have been loved by him!  

Joe was know to us as Mr. Joe!  He was the best neighbor we could have every hoped for. He and Ellen taught us so much about being parents, being first time home owners and having fun.  Joe often said the best way to be a parent is to love your husband/wife and boy did he do that remarkably well.  Joe always brought fun and silliness to all and any events.  One of my favorite memories was when all the kids had left the nest and Joe was feeling nostalgic.  He found some pictures of the house when the kids were little and came running over to show me. He had a wild look in his eye and I could see his yard tools were ready to go. He said he wanted the yard to look like the pictures- really, he was just missing the kids.  He went wild that day in the yard, cutting trimming, reshaping.  I think they had to call a professional landscaper after this event!

Blessings to Mr Joe who knew how to love like no other!