Obit.Cherokee County,OK Joe Wayne Church ================================================================================ USGenWeb NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ====================================================== Compiled, Transcribed & Submitted by: Shelley Lynch 30May2007 Published May 30, 2007 in Muskogee Phoenix Joe W. Church 1922 - 2007 Joe Wayne Church, Cherokee County east of Ft. Gibson, passed from this life on May 26, 2007. Joe was born on February 10, 1922 at Eureka Community in Cherokee County to John David and Lucretia Ross Church. He was the 16th child of 18 children. Joe served our country in the United States Army during World War II. He was a retired paint manufacturer and a member of Painters Union Local out of California retiring after 27 years. Joe returned to Cherokee County in 1997 to spend his golden years. In 1999, he met and married Mary Jo Yuknus, who preceded him in death November 17, 2006. Joe and Mary Jo were well known throughout the area as the happy couple who loved dancing. Until his health started failing in 2005, they were weekly regulars at all area Senior Citizens functions. Joe was preceded in death by brothers: Emmett, Earl, Dale, Eldon, Neal, John and an infant boy; sisters: Ora Randall, Gussie Smith, Murl Rose and Ruth Schneider; and by 3 sets of twins that died at birth. He is survived by daughter, Mary Jo King and husband, Earl, of Smyrna, TN; son, John Church of MO; granddaughters, Katherine Rosemary Bianchi and husband, Jeff, of Hendersonville, TN, Rebbecca Rose Roberson and husband, Chris, of Eagleville, TN; 8 great grand children; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Graveside Service will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Eureka Cemetery. Pallbearers include Wayne Church, Larry Church, Marvin Smith, Kenneth Smith, George Church, LaRay Ross, Johnny Dale Church and Leroy Smith. Services directed by Reed-Culver Funeral Home, (918) 456-2551.