Joseph Henry Wells

Joe Wells

Joe Wells, 96, of Newtown, MO, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, April 25, 2014.

Joseph Henry Wells was born in Lucerne, MO, into a pioneering Putnam County family, on November 8, 1917, the son of Stephen Charles and Margaret “Madge” Ann (Dunkin) Wells, who preceded him in death.  He was reared on the family farm in Putnam County and attended the Gravel Ridge country school. He graduated from Lucerne High School in 1936.  Joe married Betty Blackman in Princeton, MO, on September 30, 1939 and she preceded him in death on January 22, 2010.

Joe and Betty started married life in Putnam County with “6 fat hogs and 5 bucks.”  They worked hard to build a prosperous and strong family farm, raising four children along the way.  Joe (with Betty’s good help) was completely devoted to farming and raising cattle, not just to feed people, but as a way of life.  There was nothing more natural for Joe than to care for his cattle and his land and he continued to do so to the last months of his life.  Joe also believed in a strong community and so was an active civic servant, serving in the Newtown Lion’s club, as an active Mason, on the Newtown School Board and on the Putnam County Hospital Board.  Joe was also on the FHA board and was active in helping to secure Lake Thunderhead’s location.  Joe and Betty moved off the family farm into Newtown in 1988, but he continued to be actively engaged in farming with his son, Jack.

Joe liked to bowl in his younger years and liked to play cards, being a firm, but friendly competitor. He liked horses and used them often in his cattle work, especially Lady.

Joe is survived by daughters Joann Boatman and husband Jerry of Newtown, MO; Linda Tucker and husband Jack of Newtown, MO, and Mary Borchardt and husband David of Clive, Iowa; and a son, Jack Wells and wife Rachel of Newtown.  Joe’s grandchildren are Brett Boatman, Rebecca Thurman, Melinda Henson, Brian Tucker, Kara Scheer, Amy Vieth, Joseph Borchardt, Emily Ermis, Shelby Wells, Lucas Wells, Abby Wells, Matthew Wells, and Nathan Wells.  Fourteen great grandchildren also survive as well as many nieces and nephews.  Joe’s family is especially grateful for the loving care Joe received the last years of this life from Connie Hall and Mary Ann Burress.

Others who preceded Joe in death were two sisters, Dorotha Hollinger and Vera Wilson.

Funeral services for Joe Wells will be at the Newtown Christian Church at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 28, 2014, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Lucerne Cemetery, Lucerne, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Wyreka Cemetery, where several of the Wells pioneers are buried, and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.