Joseph “Joe” Patrick McNamara, 64, of Bondurant, IA, formerly of Newton, IA, passed away at his home Monday, March 4, 2019. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m., until 2:30 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Ankeny Funeral Home (1510 W. First Street Ankeny, Iowa 50023). A memorial service will follow at 2:30 p.m., at Ankeny Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Joseph was born March 27, 1954, in Waterloo, IA, to Paul and Dorothy (Simons) McNamara. He graduated from East High School in Waterloo. Joe worked for many years at the Newton Correctional Facility, retiring in 2017.
In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing and listening to music. Joe was a lifelong fan of the Cubs, Bears and Iowa Hawkeyes. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa”.
Joseph is survived by his three daughters: Jamie (Adam) Petersen of Ankeny, Katie McNamara of Ankeny, and Anna McNamara (Nate Nessan) of Des Moines; three grandchildren: Hayden, Cameron and Max; wife, Sarah Zaruba; sisters, Bonnie (Ron) Messingham of Waterloo, Norma Byrd of Beloit, WI, and Barbara Richter of Springfield, MO; brothers, Paul McNamara of Waterloo, Nick (Terrie) McNamara of Waterloo, Don (Diane) McNamara of Waterloo, William McNamara of Waterloo and Richard (Melba) McNamara of Burlingame, KS and one step daughter, Bailey. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul R. McNamara and mother, Dorothy Lillian McNamara.
