Joseph Earl Andrews

Joseph Earl Andrews passed away at the age of 75, at home in Andover, Kansas, on November 29th 2025, two days after his family Thanksgiving celebration. Joe had been diagnosed with ALS earlier that year after experiencing certain symptoms of the disease for the previous couple years.

Joe was born in Norton, Kansas, on June 24th 1950, to Theresa “Lucille” and Leslie Andrews. He graduated from WaKeeney High School and, at the age of 20, married Marilyn Burgess. Together they raised two children in Wichita and Andover, Kansas until 1998. After a stint of bachelorhood, Joe remarried Susan Herrmann, with whom he retired and lived the past 25 years together in Andover.

Joe was a gentle man, unassuming, friendly, and approachable to those he met. All who knew him will attest to his numerous virtues, especially that he loved Jesus Christ with all his heart and did an enviable job of following in his savior’s footsteps. He was rarely heard issuing criticism of another, never caught swearing, and always inspired to mirror Christ’s goodness and compassion. “What would Jesus do?” was a common refrain throughout his children’s upbringing.

He was a hard worker, a diligent provider, and a very smart fellow, exceedingly good with numbers, which led to a successful post-retirement career as everybody’s tax accountant after nearly 40 years in management at Beech Aircraft. He was a glorious tenor, a ceaseless dad-joker, an esteemed puzzle-solver, and the uncontested ice cream authority of the Andrews-Herrmann family. He might have been a bit of a drag-racing hooligan in his youth, but he made a profession of emulating Christ, teaching by example, respectful and loving in the world around him. He was a devoted son, a loyal partner, and a generous friend. He was also an exceptional father who offered the finest parental love and support, and even a house to live in to any kid who needed it. Upon his children, he bestowed his devotion to family, his love of rock and roll, his expertise in building and fixing things, and his passion for lifting up his voice to the spirit that inspired him lifelong. To his children, he will always be the consummate model of goodness to follow.

Joe was preceded in death by both parents and his brother David, who died at the age of 16. But he is lovingly remembered by those by whom he is survived, including his son and daughter, Brian and Wendy Andrews and their families; his wife, Susan, and her four children, Justin, Trosten, and Corinne Herrmann and Hilari Hill; his brother and sister-in-law Mike and Pat Andrews and his sister Marjorie Orr; dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and so many friends across time and distance.

Joe will be buried at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Wichita, Kansas, at noon on December 4th 2025, with viewing and last respects starting at 11am. A memorial service will be held for Joe at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church on December 6th. Doors will open at 10:30 with a service at 11am. Please send any desired floral arrangements directly to the church.

Donations in Joseph's memory can be made to: Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, 5701 E. Mt. Vernon St., Wichita, KS 67218, or Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside St., Wichita, KS 67219.