Joseph Stefani

Joseph Amedeo Stefani was born August 21, 1923, and died December 22, 2010. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 3, 2011, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. A memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, January 2, 2011 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 S.W. Ninth Street, Des Moines, with a 6:30 p.m. rosary.

One of three children, Joseph, was born in Dallas Camp, Iowa. His parents, both Italian immigrants, worked near the coal mines. He attended Grimes High School where he was an All-star Athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. On October 6, 1944, he married Beverly Jean Parkins, and they were married for 66 years. Joe and Beverly lived in Des Moines, where they raised their two daughters: Christy Lynn Spicciati and Jolene Marie Metcalf. Joe worked at Meredith Publishing Company for 42 years where many of his co-workers became life-long friends because of Joe’s hard work and fairness on the job.

Joe loved his garden and his fishing, and passed this joy on to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Joe will be remembered fondly for his love of his family, his incredible work ethic, his tenacity, and his tomatoes and banana peppers. His family recipes are the only Italian dishes cooked in the homes of his two children, six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Joe played a mean game of Dirty Board and will be remembered for always having a Joker in his hand.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Anthony’s or Hospice Taylor House.

On-line condolences to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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