Joseph Harold Stovall

Joseph Harold Stovall passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at the Iowa Veterans Home at the age of 89. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home at 1209 Iowa Ave. West in Marshalltown. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery with military rites by Harry C. Harter Post #839. A lunch will follow the burial at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Legal Aid Society, 1119 Ninth Street, Suite 230, Des Moines, Iowa 50314. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com.Joe was born in July, 1920, the second youngest of nine children born to John H. and Reece (Boyd) Stovall. He was raised in Humboldt and Ottawa, Kansas, lived in Topeka, Kansas and Waterloo, Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, and most recently at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. He served in the Army during WWII and received an Honorable Discharge. Joe worked as a skilled tradesman (plasterer) and laborer. Upon his retirement from the Rath Meat Packing Plant in Waterloo, he continued to work at various jobs until well into his late 70s. Joe was active in community affairs in Waterloo, serving on numerous boards including the Legal Aid Society and as Chairperson of the Board for the Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center. Joe was a member of the Kingsway Church congregation before he moved to Marshalltown. Joe is survived by Arlene, his wife of more than 25 years; 5 daughters: Sandra Stovall of Omaha, NE; Thaida Bunny Stovall of Lincoln, NE; Sheree Stovall-Alexander (Hank) of Alexandria, VA; Dawn Williams of Norfolk, VA; and JoAnne Stovall of Iowa City, Iowa; 2 sons: Dennis DJ Stovall (Penny) of Des Moines, IA, and Joey Stovall of Iowa City, IA; 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Joes gift to all of those who knew him was his passion for earning his own way and his quiet and unassuming non-judgmental demeanor. He will be deeply, deeply missed. Joe was predeceased by his parents, 8 siblings, his former spouse Deneice Stovall, Waterloo, and a son Craig Anthony Stovall, Sr., Waterloo. Joes family would like to give a very heartfelt thank you to the tremendous staff at the Iowa Veterans Home for taking such good care of their family member.