STOAKES, Joseph M. 1935-2017

STOAKES, OREN

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/12/2018 at 12:36:02

Services:
Saturday December 2, 2017 at Locke Funeral Home

Cemetery: [not given]

Biography--

Joseph M. Stoakes, 82, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, November 22nd at 4:15 P.M. at Bickford Cottage of Cedar Falls due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

He was born July 29, 1935, the only son of Merle and Marie Stoakes of Dysart, Iowa. A 1953 graduate of Dysart High School, Joe continued his education at DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 1956. His career began later in 1956 at what was then the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Waterloo where he worked as a 3rd shift toll test-man (long-distance troubleshooter) for nearly 40 years.

On June 7, 1957 Joe married Jean Oren of Mount Auburn, Iowa at the Four-Square Gospel Church in Waterloo. Together they were blessed with three sons: Stephen, Scott, (deceased) and Martin. They are also succeeded by four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

During their time together, Joe and his family were always involved with interesting hobbies: They enjoyed raising and showing dogs; Joe spent many hours training and grooming them. Summertime was about outdoor activities which included canoeing on the local lakes and rivers. During the winter he spent time with the boys playing ping pong and candle making. When computers took off in the 1980’s, Joe was one of the first with a Timex-Sinclair “PC” and was always fiddling with something electronic.

Although he would never say much about it, Joe was most passionate about studying the scriptures and the history of the Holy Land. He took much comfort and enjoyment in his familiarity with the Bible and made several trips with Jean to visit Israel.

After retirement, Joe and Jean moved to Brownsville, and later Kerrville, Texas. There they lived for nearly 18 years, enjoying the company of many friends they met along the way through their church family and through various volunteer charities which they served. They made the difficult decision to return home to Waterloo because of Joe’s health in 2014 to be close to family.
 
Source: Locke Funeral Home website