Joseph Thomas Bever, age 89, son of Jess and Maria (Bloes) Bever, was born Dec. 12, 1922, in Webster City, Iowa. He passed away May 2, 2012, at Houston House, Houston, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jess Bever Jr. in 1992.
Joseph attended Houston High School. He married Freida Hutsell on May 20, 1944 at Morgan Ford, Ky. He worked at International Shoe, Lee Company and Brown Shoe Company. Joseph also did some construction work in this area and also in the St. Louis area.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Freida Bever of the home in Bucyrus, Mo.; a son, Ronald Bever and wife, Doris, of St. Charles, Mo.; two daughters, Rita Blair and husband, Jerry, of O’Fallon, Mo., and Mary Ann McCallister of Bucyrus, Mo.; three grandchildren, Melissa Blair, Jerry Blair Jr. and Christi Gabel; three great-grandchildren, Joey Heppermann, Kelly Gabel and Grace Gabel; and two great great-grandchildren, Adam and Alyssa Heppermann.
He loved to go fishing and farming beef cattle. He loved to be outdoors and spend time with his family. Joseph will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Services were 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Evans Funeral Home with Wesley Wallace officiating. Pallbearers were Rick Sandefur, Don Dunavin, Jerry Blair Jr., Joey Heppermann, Sonny Smith and Garold McCoy. Burial was in Dykes Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
The family respectfully requests that donations be made to Dykes Cemetery, in his honor, in lieu of floral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com.