Joseph Alois DeBaene

Joseph Alois DeBaene, 78, of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Known as “The Hot Wheel Dude” the last several years, Joe was a lifelong resident of Kansas City.

Joseph was born March 5, 1938 to his Belgian immigrant parents, Alois and Mary (Ampe) DeBaene. He graduated from Glennon High School in 1955 where he was a standout basketball player and a selected to the City All-Star team. After high school he went to work for The Western Weighing and Inspection Bureau where he worked for 40 years. He was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Parish where he served as President of the St. Vincent DePaul Society for over 20 years and remained an active volunteer. He was a self-defined “junker and independent businessman” – finding a way to make a dollar from mowing lawns to selling Hot Wheels. He was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers – Julius who died during infancy and Corporal Morris J. DeBaene killed serving during World War II.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith (Chrisman); four children, Kenneth, Karen Whiteley (Ron), Kay Brewer (Ron – deceased) and Kevin (Karmen); 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 2nd at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 4737 N Cleveland Ave. Private inurnment will be at a later date in Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call from 6-8 PM Tuesday, November 1st at the McGilley Antioch Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Joe’s name to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Gabriel’s Parish, 4737 N. Cleveland, Kansas City, MO 64117.