Joe proudly served in the Air Force from ‘64 - ‘68 on a mid-air refueler. After his service, he worked at his father’s brass foundry before moving back to Milwaukee, WI where he received his apprenticeship for auto mechanics from VA. During that time, he built and raced a 1960 Austin Healey (“Bugeye”) Sprite and did very well. He was very proud of this achievement.
In the late 70’s Joe moved to Yakima, WA and started working at Lee Peterson Motors. He worked there for 27 years before retiring. Joe went back to school and received an AA degree and enjoyed playing around on the computer.
He truly had a knack for working with his hands though. Dad always said, if man could build something, I could take it apart, repair it and put it back together in good working order! He loved refurbishing and refinishing furniture and had just completed a dining table and chairs with one of his granddaughters.
Joe had a love for animals and later in life had become a volunteer at Wags to Riches. He adopted two dogs and loved them through their senior years.
Joe is survived by his sister Carole Stanelle, his four daughters, Sandra McLoud; Rebecca (John III) Hodkinson; Joanna (John) Perry; and Connie (Jason) Guthrie; his beloved grandchildren, Kayla, Nick, Darion, Derek, Dalee, Deklin, Dalton, Laura, Tyler, Cassie, Tessa and Paxton, as well as numerous great-grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Gladys Stanelle, and his sister Barbara Covey.
A visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 19th, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 pm at Keith & Keith Funeral Home in Yakima and a memorial service will be on Saturday Oct. 20th at 2:00 pm at United Christian Church 317 S. 41st St., Yakima, WA 98901.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com.
