Joseph Alva Holdren, age 56, of Baring, MO passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at his home in Baring.
He was born December 3, 1957, in Edina, MO, the son of Robert and Vera Marie Mitschele Holdren.
He was united in marriage to Leanna Small in Baring, MO on December 26, 1981.
Surviving are his wife Leanna Holdren of Baring, MO, three sons, Joey and Ashley Holdren of Belton, MO, Mitch Holdren and Heather Valentine of Baring, MO, and Brent Holdren and April Corbin of Edina, MO, four grandchildren Lexie, Carter and Brayden Holdren and Aubrey Corbin, three sisters Shirley and Dale Mescher of Burlington, IA, Lea and John Flynn of Edina, MO, Mary and Clinton Jerome of Kirksville, MO, three brothers Bill and Joyce Holdren of Baring, MO, Jack and Elaine Holdren of Omaha, NE, and John and Shelia Holdren of Baring, MO, his mother-in-law Roberta Small of Memphis, MO and numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Vancel Small.
Joe graduated from Knox County High School in 1976. He served his country in the United States Marine Corp from 1976 to 1980 and 1981 to 1983. Joe was a mechanic by trade and worked for several years at Perrigo's Tire and Alignment in Edina.
Joe coached his sons in little league baseball and loved to watch them play all sports, always excited and encouraging them all the way. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams. He enjoyed deer hunting, spending time at the Lake and the V.F.W. If he wasn't watching the Cardinals he was watching westerns or gigging frogs and may well be the reason you don't hear them at the Baring Lake anymore.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, July 12, 2014, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. Reverend Mike Wilson will officiate the services. Burial with full Military honors will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery west of Greensburg, MO.
Casket bearers will be Gary McKenzie, Kevin Holdren, John Small, Jody Small, Terry Kiley, Terry Hunolt, Tim Couch and Bobby Small.
Honorary bearers will be Dwayne Perrigo and Casey Barnhill.
Visitation will be held after 4 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2014, with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.
Memorials may be made to the Fallen Heroes Fund and may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.
www.hudsonrimerfh.com