Joseph Velder

Joe E. Velder, 76, of Independence, Missouri, passed away Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Centerpoint Medical Center. Joe was born May 2, 1935, in Antelope County, Nebraska to Joseph and Bessie (Griffith) Velder. He retired in 1992, after 44 years from Sears. He was a life long member for 56 years at Fairmount Christian Church and served various capacities at the church including Sunday school teacher for the Wedding Ring class for a number of years. He was also a member of the Christian Business Mens Association, the Independence Weed and Seed for the Fairmount district and active in his neighborhood crime watch program. He enjoyed fishing, auctions and estate sales and book collecting. He is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, of 58 years; his sons, Tony and Janet, Daniel and Judy, Mark and Nancy, Kelly; eleven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bessie Velder. Visitation is at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, followed by a service at 11 a.m. at Fairmount Christian Church on 641 S. Ash, Independence, MO. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence.