in memoriam
expanded eulogies
Joe Dvorak
Joseph Warren “Joe” Dvorak, Sr., of Hiawatha, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha where he had been a resident for a year.
He was born at Hillsboro, Kansas, April 17, 1937, the youngest of two children born to Joseph W. and Alice Bezdek Dvorak.
Joe and Rose, his sister, grew up on the family farm near Marion where they attended country school before he attended school in town, graduating Marion High School with the class of 1955.
He loved basketball! So much so in high school he was nominated top defensive player in the state of Kansas. Joe served with the U.S. Army only a short time due to the fact he returned home to take over the family farming operation after the untimely death of his father. He farmed, raised livestock, and operated a diary until 1978 when he moved to Lecoma, Missouri.
Being a farmer at heart, being involved with a feed mill operation, he worked to learn what it took to be a livestock feeding consultant, which he did until age 70 when he retired.
Joseph was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Salem, and was active with the Knights of Columbus Fr. Wm. D. Ludwig Assembly #1669.
He was married to Janice Arlene Richardson and to this union were born six children: Joseph Jr., Janelle, James, Jerry, Jeff, and Jason were born before they divorced after 30 years of marriage. He later married Betty Hegarty Couts October 18, 1992, at Abilene, Kansas. Candace, David, Treena, and Daniel were added.
Betty and Joe lived near Lecoma where he continued to raise some livestock until March 2018 when they moved to Hiawatha. Betty survives at home.
Also surviving are children Joseph W. Jr., of Salem, Missouri, Jerry of Miami, Oklahoma, Jeff of Rolla, Missouri, Jason of Hiawatha, Kansas, Janelle Worthen of Birchtree, Missouri, Candace Schoemig of Junction City, Kansas, Daniel Couts, also of Rolla, and Treena Lucero of Hillsboro; 20 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sons James Dvorak and David Couts, and grandson Andrew Dvorak.
Private family services will be held in Salem, Missouri, in the spring of 2020.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Hope Brown County, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434, who is assisting the family with arrangements.
A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com.