Joseph Humes

JOSEPH A. "A. J." HUMES

Joseph A. "A. J." Humes, age 80, of rural Wyaconda, MO, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at his home.

A.J. was born October 13, 1930, at Montrose, IA, one of eight children born to Ernest and Rhea Stevenson Humes.

He attended Keystone grade school and Kahoka High School.

On June 30, 1951, he and Lois R. Calvert were married at Kahoka. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary later this month.

Survivors include his wife, Lois, of Wyaconda, MO; daughter, Kathy (Mrs. Stanley) Blythe of Wyaconda, MO; sons, Richard A. (Bonnie) Humes of Clayton, IL and Joseph B. (Lisa) Humes of Wyaconda, MO; six grandchildren: Chad (Natalie) Humphrey of Kahoka, MO, Meagan Humes of Quincy, IL, Miranda (Mrs. Seth) Vermillion of Clayton, IL, Matthew Humes of Golden, IL, Christopher J. Humes and Andrew A. Humes, both of Wyaconda, MO; three great grandchildren: Asa Joel and Corrigan Dean Humphrey and Rylynn Vermillion; three step-grandchildren and their families: Stanley (Amy) Blythe of Walcott, IA, Tina Blythe of Webster City, IA, and Karla (Mrs. Jamie) Purkapile of Colorado; two brothers, Ernest L. "Doc" (Louise) Humes of Wyaconda, MO and James L. Humes of Burlington, IA; three sisters: Patricia Varnold of Keokuk, IA, Dora (Mrs. Don) Fogle of Memphis, MO and Mary (Mrs. Bob) Fleer of Quincy, IL; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Zelma Joann Halferty of Wyaconda, MO, Darlene Humes of Wyaconda, MO, Allen (Beverly) Calvert of Davenport, IA and Normalee Calvert of Mesa, AZ; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Laverne and Alfred Humes; and, two brothers-in-law, Robert Varnold and Raymond Calvert, Jr.

A.J. farmed all of his life. He loved the outdoors and was an avid quail and mushroom hunter and also fisherman. He truly enjoyed picking black berries and putting in a large garden. In later years he enjoyed playing golf.

He was a member of the Wyaconda Christian Church, and Elder Emeritus. He had received his 50 year masonic pin and was a member of St. Francisville Lodge # 588, A.F. & A.M. at Wayland. He had been active in the former Wyaconda Lion's Club and always enjoyed time they spent together barbecuing at the Clark Co. Fair. Together, he and Lois enjoyed the eight years they spent as snowbirds wintering in Yuma, AZ. Most of all, he enjoyed his time spent with his family and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 4, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Wyaconda Christian Church with Rev. Sandy Browning officiating. Mrs. Denise Mathes was organist with congregational hymns "Because He Lives" and "Bless Be The Tie".

Cremation followed with inurnment to be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Wyaconda Christian Church or the Wyaconda Cemetery.