Joe Branstetter September 24, 1938 - March 25, 2017

Joe S. Branstetter, age 78, of Ozark, Missouri passed away Saturday evening March 25, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in Cox South Hospital, Springfield. Joe was born September 24, 1938 to Ralph and Ruby (Alred) Branstetter and graduated from Vandalia high school class of 1957. Joe was united in marriage to Sharon Betts on September 12,1962 and to this union one son David and one daughter LeAnna was born. In 1985, Joe lost his wife Sharon to cancer. On April 5, 1986 Joe was united in marriage to Cynthia Turpin and together they enjoyed over 30 years of marriage. Joe spent most of his life in the furniture sales business at Betts furniture in Vandalia as co-owner and operator. As a young boy, Joe loved to play pool, it is said that he would go to the local pool hall and take all of the old mens money! Joe was a good athlete, playing basketball and baseball in school, he also enjoyed coaching Khoury League baseball. Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman, later in life he and his fishing buddy Roy were often referred to as the Grumpy Old Men. While living in Vandalia, Missouri, he served as a deacon of the First Baptist Church and at the time of his death was a member of the Ozark Presbyterian Church in Ozark. Joe enjoyed working in his wood shop crafting bird feeders, furniture and windmills. He was very creative and enjoyed sharing things he made. He was a family man and his son has said he was the best example of a father we could have asked for. It has been said that in order to be a man you first have to see a man, Joe was just that, a true man with outstanding character and love for his family. He will be missed greatly. Joe is survived by his wife Cynthia of Ozark; his son David Branstetter and wife Danette of Strafford; daughter LeAnna Meyer and husband Larry of Bowling Green; two step-daughters Robyn Johnson and husband Bryan of Ballwin and Stephanie Kehoe and husband Troy of Chico, Texas; nine grandchildren Jenni, Paula, Joelle, Jessie, Emma, Abby, Joey, Logan and Zach; three great-grandchildren Jayleigh, Jett and Jobe, one sister Suzanne Goodin of Bowling Green; niece Michelle and nephew Mark. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Ozark Presbyterian Church, Ozark, Missouri. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral services in the church. Arrangements and service under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Additional graveside services will be at 2:00 P.M., Friday, March 31, 2017 in Bowling Green City Cemetery, Bowling Green, Missouri with a visitation to follow at Antioch Presbyterian Church. Online condolences maybe shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.