Joel DeRosear

JOEL E. DEROSEAR

Joel Eric DeRosear, age 22, of Kahoka, MO, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, following a three and a half year battle with cancer.

He was born May 22, 1985 at Quincy, IL, the only child of Eric and Walla Gaines DeRosear.

Survivors include his parents, Eric and Walla DeRosear of Kahoka MO; grandparents: Dwight and Joan DeRosear of Memphis, MO, and Weldon and Edra Beach of Leonard, MO; aunts and uncles: Bridget and Dr. Robert Megna of Forney, TX, Ann and David Gray of

Kirksville, MO, Denise and George Kramer of Forney, TX, David and Melody DeRosear of Belton, MO, Gretchen and Tim Melvin of Quincy, IL, Lora and Bobby Pfanner of Monroe City, MO, Brent and Kim Gaines of Shelbyville, MO, and Trent Gaines of Kirksville, MO; great aunts and uncles: Mary Rockhold, Ellen and Ted Gundy, Betty Fetters, Irene Kazwara and Mildred and Ron Klem, all of Memphis, MO, John and Marilyn Fetters of Canton, MO, and Margie DeRosear of Baring, MO; cousins: Seth and Miles Thomas, John Megna, Blake DeRosear, Colin, Jonathan and Landon Melvin, Katie Simmons, Scott Gaines, Graydon and Danielle Gaines, and, Pepper; his Godson, Jace Holman; as well as other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Waldo Gaines and family friend, Bill Williamson.

Joel was salutatorian of the Clark Co. R-1 High School class of 2004. While in high school he was a member of the Clark Co. R-1 Marching Indians, F.F.A., and a member of the Trap Team. He was a senior at the University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, where he was historian and a member of AG Systems Management Club, Alpha Mu Honor Society where he served as Rush chairman, Independent Aggies where he was currently Sergent of Arms, and Vice President of John Deere Management Club. He was also foreman the past two years at Trowbridge Livestock Center at the University of Missouri.

Joel was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kahoka, St. Patrick Council #2526 Knights of Columbus, and John F. Kennedy 4th Degree Assembly, Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of Baring Country Club and Lady Baring Yacht Club.

Since he was a young boy, Joel always loved being outdoors. He worked most summers farming with Billy Early and the rest of the time was spent at Baring Lake which he loved so much with his family and friends. During his senior year of high school, he had worked for Winkelman farms, rural Wayland. He was an avid sportsman and loved to hunt,fish, and shoot trap. Joel was a friend to everyone, young or old, and at the same time was comfortable in his solitude. He never let cancer get the best of him and his strength and hope was an inspiration to those around him.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, August 31, 2007, at 3 p.m. at St. Aloysius

Catholic Church in Baring, MO with Fathers Paul Hartley and Bill Cottonstette officiating. Burial was in the St. Aloysius Cemetery, Baring, MO. A celebration of life and sharing of memories followed burial at the Baring Country Club clubhouse.

Memorials in lieu of flowers were requested to the Clark Co. Marching Indians or Blessing

Hospice, Hancock, Co.