Shelby, Joe July 5, 1934 - March 20, 2024

Joe B. Shelby was the first-born son of Spencer and Bonnie (Creek) Shelby. Joe arrived into this world on July 5 th , 1934, in Charity, MO. He graduated to Heaven on March 20, 2024, where he joined Barbara, his wife of 69 years.

Spencer and Bonnie’s family continued to grow and included Janelle, Jack, and Jerry. Osceola is where they laid down their roots and became part of the community. Spencer and Bonnie raised their family in the Shelby’s Five and Dime located on the west side of the Osceola square. You might find some of the Shelby crew in town or roaming along the banks of the Osage River. It was here that Joe’s love of fishing began.

Joe graduated from Osceola High School in 1952. He married Barbara Murray on May 1, 1954, and they moved to Kansas City, MO. There Joe worked for his uncle, Clell Creek in the tile setting business. After a couple of years, they moved back to Osceola where they started their own family which consisted of Beth and Larry. Joe held various jobs in the area until he went to work for MODOT at the Osceola Highway barn where he retired from in August of 1989.

Joe and Barbara spent a lot of time raising hogs and selling feeder pigs as he continued to grow his cattle operation. When Joe was not running his chain saw and cutting wood to improve his land, you might find him running trot lines, hunting quail or coon hunting as he greatly enjoyed these activities.

Joe and Barb would spend a lot of time together planning and planting a garden each spring. He took great pride in this and willingly shared his wisdom and passion for farming, hunting, and fishing skills with his grandkids and great grandkids.

Joe accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized in Kiefer Lake by Pastor Jack Kiefer in the late seventies. He was a faithful servant in the Osceola Community Church for many years. Many evenings when you would go to his home, you would find him sitting in his chair reading his bible. If he wasn’t there you would most likely find him in the garden with a hoe tackling the weeds. The highlight of any day was one of the grandkids or great grandkids would show up. It was sure to bring a big smile to his face. He was friend and neighbor to all and was lovingly known as “Gramps” or “Papa Joe” to those he knew.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, and his brother Jack Shelby.

He is survived by his daughter, Beth Vaughn and son Larry Shelby and wife Rhonda. Sister, Janelle Nelson and brother Jerry Shelby.

Grandchildren; Jamie Koch (Jon), Lieutenant Colonel Brad Vaughn (Tauna), Austin Shelby (Rachael) and Weston Shelby (Julie).

Great-Grandchildren; Thane Sommer (Wacey), Rylan Sommer, Camden Sommer (Kizzie),Ashton Koch, Mason Koch, Tessa Roberts, Addison Roberts, Scarlet Elizabeth Vaughn, Hadley, Oaklynn, Kord, Karson, and Kora Shelby as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Osceola Elementary School Playground for equipment upgrades in care of the Sheldon Goodrich Funeral Home.