Joseph Charles Rubes Sr.

Joseph Charles Rubes, Sr., one of Rogers’ favorite handymen, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018. A pre-service gathering of family and friends will be held 3:00pm, Saturday, April 21 followed by a 4:00pm memorial service in the Chapel of Rollins Funeral Home.

Joe was born October 3, 1934 in Spencer, Iowa to the late Marguerite Mary Doyle and Anthony Francis Rubes. Following graduation from Spencer High, Joe served in the United States Air Force Security Service as a Cryptologist during the Korean War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Following his honorable discharge, Joe returned to Spencer and married Myrna Boers. They resided in Des Moines and started a family with the birth of their son Joe Jr. While living in Iowa, Joe Sr. hand delivered the mail for the United States Postal Service for 20 years with a 35-70 lb. mailbag over his shoulder walking 10-20 miles a day, rain or shine, sleet or snow, 6 days a week. He was a lifetime member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Myrna and Joe were married for over 30 years until her passing.

Joe later reunited with his Spencer High best friend Marilynn, and their married life began together at their Arkansas home on Beaver Lake. “Opa”, affectionately called by his grandchildren, was an outdoorsman and enjoyed providing varied handyman skills to the Rogers community. He loved reading and was often seen on his porch with a book in hand, enjoying the beautiful lake view.

One Spencer High classmate lamented upon receiving the sad news, “Joe was a special guy, and a friend to everyone!” Joe was preceded in death by his parents and 6 siblings: Majorie, Marian, John, Jean Anne, Veronica, and Mary Ellen.

Joe is survived by his wife Marilynn of 31 years and his son, Joe Jr. and wife Jessica Rubes and daughters: Sheryl and her husband Pat Sheppard, Sharron and her husband Steve Axelrod, and Shanna and her husband Thorne Stallings. “Opa” is also survived by their 9 grandchildren: Ashley and her husband Derek Lawson, Tyler Rubes, Jenn Bourdeon, Jesse and his wife Ashton Sheppard, Jamie Lu and her husband Dontay Martin, Kayeleigh and her husband Ryan Baskin, Thorne Stallings III, Arielle Axelrod, and Anna Stallings, and 9 great grandchildren: Thomas, Jaelynn, and Donavon Bourdeon, Dean, Lucy, and Grant Baskin, Jaxon, and Kenzington Sheppard and lil’ brother on the way.

Joe’s family also includes many dear friends and neighbors, and Rubes’ relatives including 14 nieces and nephews: Victoria, Nancy, Mitchell, Julie, Deborah, Linda, Bob, Stephen, Susan, Mary, Jennifer, Brenda, Karl, and Kevin and their 13 children and 8 grandchildren as well as, Marilynn’s 16 nieces and nephews: Cheryl, Debi, Julie, Georgie, Keith, Kurt, Kathy, Diana, Susie, Jenny, Alisa, Krystal, Ashley, and Hilary.

In lieu of flowers please contribute to our tree fund in memory of Joe at Bradford Yard Living, Rogers, Arkansas. (479) 636-8393.

Condolences may be expressed at www.RollinsFuneral.com