Joseph Ervin "Joe" Bateman 1918-2012

SNODGRAS BATEMAN SPEULDA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2012 at 13:49:43

Sioux City Journal
April 11, 2012

Joseph Ervin "Joe" Bateman formerly of Sioux City died peacefully Saturday, April 7, 2012, at the home of his son in Olathe, Colo.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday in Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City.

Joe was born on Oct. 15, 1918, at Sioux City's west side, to Erv and Gertrude (Snodgras) Bateman. He was the youngest of three sons, Francis "Don", and Gene preceded him in death.

Joe married the love of his life, Mildred "Millie" Speulda in December 1938. They had three children, Susan of Des Moines, Genevieve of Mesa, Ariz., and Richard (Kathleen) of Olathe, Colo. Their marriage ended in 1952. Joe never re-married.

Joseph spent most of his working life at Aalfs Manufacturing, following his father's footsteps in maintenance. He started at the Aalfs factory in Storm Lake, Iowa, and managed that facility before retiring to Sioux City. Joe retired in 1985 and remained a professor gadget of sorts until his death.

Joe served honorably on the USS Mertz during World War II, seeing combat in the South Pacific before returning safely home on Jan. 6, 1946. He was however struck down by the polio epidemic in Sioux City in the early 1950s, leaving his lower right legs paralyzed from which he never fully recovered.

Joe is survived by his children; eight grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.