Joseph Eugene Millard

Joe Millard died June 10, 2021 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA. He was born on April 6, 1936 and was known as Gene growing up in Greene County, IA. The son of Glen and Cecelia Millard, Joe attended rural one-room schoolhouses for his first nine years of education, and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954. Joe served two years aboard the USS Yorktown in the Far East.

Joe reconnected with high school friend Fran Carey while attending college. Their marriage of 63 years was built on their shared love of reading, politics, traveling and most of all - friendship and family. In their later years, they enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren across the country.

Joe earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1960 in Social Science from Iowa State Teachers College, and taught in Urbana and Postville, IA. He earned his Master’s of Education degree from Iowa State College in 1964 and became a high school principal in Story City, IA and an assistant principal at Wahlert High School in Dubuque, IA. He earned his Ph.D. in Education in 1971 from Iowa State University.

Joe served as the Director of Educational Services at Heartland Area Education Agency from 1980 until 1996. Following his retirement, Joe worked as an Outreach Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Education.

Joe was a founding member of the Iowa Educational Research and Evaluation Association and served on numerous state educational committees. He was a member of the Des Moines Diocesan Board of Education, Iowa Academic Decathlon Board, and was chairperson for the Mid-Iowa Computer Board. Joe was recognized for outstanding service from the Iowa Academic Decathlon and First in the Nation in Education Foundation.

Joe had a passion for storytelling and several of his essays, poems and memoirs have appeared in state and regional journals, magazines and newspapers. He published four books, Seeing Through Gray Colored Lens, The Quiet Journey, Where Did All the Cowboys Go? and Savor the Seasons.

Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Fran Carey Millard; children, Peg (Randy) Asmus of Kewadin, MI, Mark (Traci) Millard of Longmont, CO, Julie DeVader of Topeka, KS and Katie (Mark) McWhirter of Tempe, AZ; grandchildren, Leigh (JG) Tokar, Mitch Asmus, Carrie and Patrick Millard, Nathan and Charlie DeVader, Thomas, Benedict, Dominic and Vincent McWhirter; great-granddaughter Frankie Tokar; his siblings, Dan of Scottsdale, AZ, Jerry (Char) of Silvis, IL and Karen (Danny) Nahnsen of Waterloo, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Fr. Mike Millard; sisters-in-law, Darlene Millard, Nancy Millard, Donna Hunt; Sr. Carita Carey, Margaret Jeffers, Kathryn Fairfield and Delores Kaiser; his brother-in-law Jerry Carey; his nephews, Patrick Carey, Jerry Jeffers, Jay Kaiser; and niece, Cathy Millard Stats.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the El Salvador Ministry sponsored by St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee, IA or to a non-profit organization of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Edgewater, 9225 Cascade Ave. in West Des Moines. A Celebration of Joe’s Life and Mass will be held Tuesday, June 22 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 Warrior Lane in Waukee, IA. Family will receive guests one hour prior. Private burial services will be held at the St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Greene County, IA at a later date.

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