Joe Ward Carnahan
January 12, 1940 — June 9, 2024
Joe Ward Carnahan, 84, of Springville, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Bickford of Marion Assisted Living. The family will greet friends from 5 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Springville Cemetery, with full military honors.
Joe was born on January 12, 1940, in Orlando, Florida, the son of Clair “Cy” and Fay (Pherrin) Carnahan. He was a 1958 graduate of Springville High School and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War, where he earned a Good Conduct Medal. On June 14, 1969, Joe was united in marriage to Katherine Louise (Cook) Taylor in Central City, Iowa, following the death of her first husband, LeRoy “Butch” Taylor. Together, they raised Kathy’s two daughters and their son. She later passed away in 2011.
Joe was a lifelong mechanic. With his brother, Stephen, they owned and operated their own business, Carnahan Auto. They later sold the business and retired in 2021. He was a member of the Springville American Legion. Joe will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Joe is survived and lovingly remembered by his three children, Alison Frerking of Marion, Pamela (Jeff) Hyberger of Marion, and Jeff Carnahan (fiancé, Katie Heeren) of Springville, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Rachael (Isaiah) Sherman, Sarah (Austin) Meyer, Seth Frerking, Ashley Hyberger, Derek Hyberger, Kyle Hyberger, Bailey Jedlicka, and Mackenzie (Brian) Michael; three great-grandchildren, Sierra, Shaniyah, and Eliza; and brother, Stephen (Marla) Carnahan of Springville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Katherine Carnahan; and sister, Nancy Lou Brown.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe’s memory may be directed to Eastern Iowa Honor Flights or Disabled American Veterans.
Joe was born on January 12, 1940, in Orlando, Florida, the son of Clair “Cy” and Fay (Pherrin) Carnahan. He was a 1958 graduate of Springville High School and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War, where he earned a Good Conduct Medal. On June 14, 1969, Joe was united in marriage to Katherine Louise (Cook) Taylor in Central City, Iowa, following the death of her first husband, LeRoy “Butch” Taylor. Together, they raised Kathy’s two daughters and their son. She later passed away in 2011.
Joe was a lifelong mechanic. With his brother, Stephen, they owned and operated their own business, Carnahan Auto. They later sold the business and retired in 2021. He was a member of the Springville American Legion. Joe will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Joe is survived and lovingly remembered by his three children, Alison Frerking of Marion, Pamela (Jeff) Hyberger of Marion, and Jeff Carnahan (fiancé, Katie Heeren) of Springville, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Rachael (Isaiah) Sherman, Sarah (Austin) Meyer, Seth Frerking, Ashley Hyberger, Derek Hyberger, Kyle Hyberger, Bailey Jedlicka, and Mackenzie (Brian) Michael; three great-grandchildren, Sierra, Shaniyah, and Eliza; and brother, Stephen (Marla) Carnahan of Springville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Katherine Carnahan; and sister, Nancy Lou Brown.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe’s memory may be directed to Eastern Iowa Honor Flights or Disabled American Veterans.
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