Joseph William Connelly 1952-2013

CONNELLY, SMITH, BIRD, SCARBERRY, ASECHILIMAN, WEHRLII, CORTEZ

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 8/27/2013 at 20:54:42

Afton Star Enterprise
Afton, Iowa
June 13, 2013

Joseph William Connelly, son of Leo William and Darlene Martha JaNon (Smith) Connelly, was born on January 9, 1952 in Creston, Iowa. Joe entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at his home in Creston at the age of sixty-one years, four months and twenty-eight days.

Joe was raised in Afton and graduated from East Union High School with the Class of 1970. On September 26, 1970 he was united in marriage to Vicki Lynn Bird and two daughters were born to bless this union: Shawn and Heather.

Joe worked for Van Mark in Creston, Iowa from 1974-1990 when he then went to work for Heat & Control, Inc. based out of Hayward, California. Joe was heavily involved in sales and project management for food processing and packaging equipment, primarily potato chips. His career took him worldwide and he was often known as Big Joe or the Potato Chip Man.

Joe was a very upbeat and positive individual. Joe had encouraging words he shared with everyone. Joe was always there to help his family and give advice. He would help a stranger in need. Joe spoke very highly of his daughters, Shawn and Heather and was extremely proud of them. Joe’s excitement and love in his life was his grandsons, Clayton and Cason. He loved taking them to the farm, walking the boys on their bicycles to daycare and attending their activities. The past few years, Joe enjoyed taking the boys along with his brother John and Gavin to the Old Thrashers Reunion. Joe was a green and yellow man and enjoyed his tractors and spending time on the farm.

Joe’s passion in life was visiting and meeting new people. Joe traveled across the world to places such as Australia, Egypt, Turkey, Holland and many other places. He enjoyed telling his family about the different cultures especially the exotic foods he tried. Joe felt strongly about everyone continuing to learn new things in life. He felt everyone should take pride in themselves and what they did in their life no matter how big or small.

Left to cherish Joe’s memory are his daughters: Heather Scarberry and Shawn Connelly, both of Creston, IA; two grandsons: Clayton Joseph and Cason Bradley Scarberry of Creston, IA; mother, Darlene Connelly of Lorimor, IA; sister, Cheryl Aeschliman of Winterset, IA; brothers: Paul (Liz) Connelly of Crane. MO and Kevin Connelly of Lorimor, IA; sister, Janet Connelly of Marshalltown, IA; brother, John (Nancy) Connelly of Afton, IA; sister, Amelia (Scott) Wehrli of Ogden, IA; brother, Daniel (Darcy) Connelly of Wadena, IA; brother, James Connelly of Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Beth Connelly of Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Patricia (Felix) Cortez of Denison, IA and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding Joe in death was his father, Leo Connelly; wife, Vicki Connelly on September 18, 2010; brother, Patrick Connelly; sister, Diane Trostheim and brother-in-law, Joe Aeschliman.