Joe D. Grace, 77, of Paxton; formerly of Loda, died on Friday, July 21, 2017, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 215 N. Poplar Street, Loda with Rev. Timothy Hahn officiating. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is handling arrangements.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the service from 2-4 p.m. at the church.

Joe was born September 13, 1939, in Gorham the son of Shirley "Scotty" and Effie Hubler Grace. He married Ruth P. Luhrsen in 1960 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Buckley. She survives.

Along with his wife, Ruth, he is survived by two sons, Joe (Emily) Grace, Jr. of Independence. Wisconsin, Roy Allen (Valerie) Grace of Phoenix, Arizona; a daughter, Pamela Jo Haley of Evansville; 8 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and a brother, LaVurl Grace of Percy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and one sister.

Joe graduated from Gorham High School in 1957. He served in the United States Army for two years and was stationed in Hawaii. He worked for Loda Poultry and C. E. Healey for 20 years. He then worked civil service jobs at Chanute Air Force Base and in Ohio before retiring.


He and his wife lived in Loda, they moved to Ohio for ten years before returning to Loda in 2001 and moved to Paxton in 2012.


Joe was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loda and served as a church trustee. He was also a member of the Buckley American Legion Byron A. Hickerson Post 432. Joe was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and visiting with his many friends over a cup of coffee.

Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loda or an organization of the donor's choice. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.