Joe Kephart

Joey Kephart went “Home” Friday evening, October 12, 2012 surrounded by his loving family and his dog Maddie. He was 48 years old. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 17th, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset, Iowa. A visitation will be held at Ochiltree Funeral Service from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday; where the family will be present to receive friends from 4 to 6 with our Celebration of Life Service to follow. Please know our celebration will be held on a very special day, Joe’s birthday so please come and share stories of Joe so we may feel the continued warmth of his personality through memories. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 18th, in Spencer, Iowa at the Riverside Cemetery with a reception to immediately follow at the Spencer Community Theater. Memorials in Joe’s memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Des Moines Area Office, 8364 Hickman Road, Suite D, Clive, Iowa 50325; the Winterset Flower Fund to decorate the downtown square and/or AHeinz57 Pet Rescue, Box 188 De Soto, Iowa 50069. On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.ochiltree.com. Joe was born to Richard and Beulah (King) Kephart on October 17, 1963. He resided in Spencer, Iowa most of his life. He enjoyed traveling and along his journey met Bill Moody. They moved from Spencer to West Des Moines, Iowa and together decided with their partner, Beth Heimbaugh of Adel to share friendship, laughter and shopping by opening Pine Creek, LTD in Winterset, Iowa in 2009. The store brought such joy and pride to Joe. His talents of remodeling, wiring and plumbing were always a source of a good laugh or even an honest concern now and then. Many family and friends graciously joined in to help make this new venture for Bill, Beth and Joe another opportunity to be surrounded by their support and presence throughout each day. Joe instantly was enveloped by the Winterset Community making many wonderful lifelong friendships. He was very involved with the Chamber of Commerce, where he enjoyed hosting Friday coffees enhanced by tasty gourmet foods and drinks. Living in Spencer most of his life, he worked for Simitra for sixteen years. His passion was his involvement in the Spencer Community Theater, working both backstage and on stage as an actor, and again always surrounded by good lifelong friends. He was also chairman of RAGBRAI when the bikes rolled through Spencer. Traveling and taking cruises brought great joy and made fond memories for Joe. His last trip to Seabrook, WA brought more joy to Joe’s journey and satisfied his love of the ocean; and it was especially meaningful since he and Bill were able to spend time with Bill Jr. and his family. With his move from West Des Moines to the Winterset countryside, Joe was complete and home; with 10 acres of mowing and gardening he had BIG plans for expressing his knowledge of flowers, trees and “ornamental design”. Joe was most proud of being surrounded and loved by Bill’s family, nieces and nephews who welcomed him into their home and their hearts. Joe is survived by William (Bill) Moody and his precious, Maddie both of Winterset. His parents, Richard Kephart and Beulah Kephart both of Spencer, his brother, Jeff Kephart and sister, Dixie Davis. His favorite Aunt Lavon Kephart of Spencer. Family and Pine Creek friend, Beth Heimbaugh and her family. Joe is also survived by extended family and a host of friends who will cherish memories of Joe in their hearts. Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tom and Edith Kephart; Lyle and Lorene King; a brother, Michael Kephart; a sister, Laura Kephart and an Uncle Floyd Kephart. Our family will make Joe’s memory a part of our happiness and laughter each and every day.