Joe L. Huddleston

Joe Leslie Huddleston, age 79, passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines, IA where he lived for the last year and a half.

Born August 23, 1931, Joe had one older brother, Jack, and was the son of William and Zella Huddleston of Wapello, IA. He received his elementary education in Wapello consolidated schools, except for 3rd and 4th grade, where he attended a one-room schoolhouse in Cairo, IA. Graduating from Wapello High School, Joe enjoyed playing on the varsity football team all 4 years of high school, and was involved with all of the extra-curricular activities he could fit into his schedule while also doing farm work for his father and others. Joe married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Johnson on May 26, 1950, and remained happily married for over 50 years until her death in 2000. Together they loved and raised 2 children, Linda and Steven, and were blessed with 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

For almost 20 years before his retirement Joe was a commercial real estate broker and opened his own commercial real estate company in Lake Ozark, MO. Joe and Joanne enjoyed living by the lake in Osage Beach, MO during this time. Prior to moving to Missouri, Joe and his family lived in Mt. Pleasant, IA from 1967 to 1980, where he was manager of E.G. Staats Co., a manufacturer of award ribbons and trophies, and later opened and managed Icon Industries, a cellulose insulation manufacturing plant. From the time of his marriage until moving to Mt. Pleasant, he was in sales for other companies in Iowa.

Joe was proud to be a member of the Masonic Lodge #8 in Mt. Pleasant, and before that, a 32° Mason at the Kaaba Temple Shrine in Davenport. He was a member of the Lake Ozark Christian Church in Lake Ozark, MO. While living there, he was deeply involved for many years in founding and running “Toys for Kids”, a foundation that made it possible for hundreds of underprivileged children to receive toys, food and clothing for the Christmas holidays. This foundation grew to include full college scholarships for many deserving students, as well as assistance for the elderly.

Joe will be greatly missed by his many friends and family including his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Ron Gruss of West Des Moines, IA; his son and daughter-in-law Steven and Cheryl Huddleston of Richmond, MO; his grandchildren Stacey McDaniel of Arlington, MA, Ryan Gruss of Framingham MA, Amy Wagner of Aurora, IL, and Christine Huddleston of Bloomington, IL; great-grandson Liam McDaniel, and another great-grandson soon to be born!

Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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