Joseph Robert Matlock (Hartville)'s Obituary
Joseph “Bob” Robert Matlock, son of James and Eunice (Millsap) Matlock, was born January 3, 1923 in Mansfield, Missouri. He was called home early Saturday morning, March 3, 2018, at his home in Lebanon, at the age of ninety-five years and two months.
On May 15, 1947, Joseph was united in marriage to Marcella Sheppard and spent the next 63 years together before her passing in 2010.
Joseph is preceded in death by his loving wife, Marcella, his parents, his sister Wanda, his brother Sherell, and a relative Blanch Fannin.
Joseph is survived by loving friend and caregiver, Tammi Manly and her husband Danny, of Lebanon; a brother-in-law, Russell Sheppard and his wife Joan, of Mountain Grove; a sister-in-law, Avis Brown of Mountain Grove; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and caring friends.
Joseph was born and raised in the Wolf Creek area and graduated Mansfield High School in 1940. After he graduated he was called to serve for the Army Air Corps during WWII as a radar and bombardier officer. After he came back from the war he met and fell in love with Marcella and the two were married shortly after. Joseph later went to school to become a funeral director at College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis. After he graduated, Joseph and Marcella moved to Poplar Bluff and then later moved to Sacramento, California. While he was in Sacramento he excelled in his career as a funeral director. He retired after thirty-five years of serving the people of Sacramento.
After his retirement, Joseph and Marcella began to travel. They traveled all over the United States, making it to all 48 continental states in their RV together. In 1995 Marcella and Joseph settled down and made their permanent home in Lebanon. Joseph loved to fish with his brother-in-law Russell every chance he could and it seems he fell in the water most of the time. Joseph also loved to read, especially as he got older in his life. Joseph was a loving husband, brother, uncle, and caring friend. We celebrate his wonderful life and will always cherish the many happy memories he helped create.
Contributions can be made to Broyles School Building fund through Holman-Howe
Funeral Home, P. O. Box 236, Hartville, M. 65667
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