Joseph J. Maher 1918 - 1993

QUINN, MAHER, GLAU

Posted By: Connie Swearingen - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/6/2016 at 23:35:51

Mapleton Press
7 January 1993

Joseph J. Maher, age 74, of Mapleton died Thursday, December 31, 1992, at Willow Dale Care Center in Battle Creek, Iowa.

Services were 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Walter-Armstrong Chapel in Mapleton with the Rev. John Brennan officiating. Marle Whiteing was the organist and soloist. She sang “Precious Moments” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” Burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mapleton with military graveside honors by American Legion, Grimsely-Thayer Post #502 of Castana. A prayer service was held Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Walter-Armstrong Chapel with Pastor Stephen Root and Pastor Richard Hempenius officiating.

Mr. Maher was born April 17, 1918 to William and Margaret (Quinn) Maher at Davenport, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked for the railroad for 32 years, on 18 different rail lines in various parts of the country. Joe married Lois Glau September 23, 1960 at Edwardsville, Illinois. They moved to Mapleton in 1972. They owned and operated the Arlington Railroad Station, a museum of railway artifacts in Mapleton. In 1977, they acquired the caboose NYOW 8304. Joe also served as police chief and was involved in law enforcement training services, having been police chief in Sioux Rapids and Schleswig, Iowa.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton, the St. Patrick Society in Davenport, the Calix Society, Merrill’s American Legion, the Castana American Legion, and was a past member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Ute. He was active in the Democratic Party and was a longstanding member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Survivors include his wife, Lois; a daughter, Pat Sanderson of Mapleton; a special friend, Molly at home; a brother and his wife, Tom and Helen of Sun City, Arizona and a sister, Margaret Jelineck of Davenport,.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, James Quinn; two sisters and three brothers.

Pallbearers were Duane Heeney, Bill Christensen, Tom Bleil, Lawrence Nelson, Bill Hagerdon and Less Bell.

Arrangements were made under the direction of the Walter-Armstrong Funeral Home.