Joseph "Joe" Gerkin

Joseph Wesley Gerkin, known fondly as “Joe,” age 39, of Americus, KS, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2016. Although he became a Kansan, Joe was born in Stroud, Oklahoma on November 12, 1976, and was the son of Steve Gerkin and Vicki Morris Gerkin. He was a member of the West Elk High School graduating class of 1995 and would later make his career for several years as an operation tech at Hills Pet Food located in Emporia, KS. On September 24, 2005, Joe married Dannielle Rene Jarvis at the United Methodist Church in Howard, Kansas and to this union was born a daughter, Hayli. Hayli was the pride of Joe’s life as he taught her all about the outdoors, and shared his love of hunting and fishing with her, taking her turkey hunting and watched as she shot her first turkey. An avid outdoorsman, Joe loved hunting and fishing. He was also passionate about baseball and coed softball. He played on many a coed softball team and in many tournaments with his wife, Dannielle, and taught Hayli about the game as well. Joe was a huge OSU fan and when he wasn’t sporting camo, you could see him in Cowboy orange. Joe enjoyed watching NCIS and American Ninja Warrior with his daughter in his leisure time. Joe and Hayli also shared a great love of the Christmas season and would have Christmas music playing and decorations up all year, if they could. Above all else, Joe Gerkin will be remembered as a loving father and husband. Joe is survived by his wife, Dannielle, his 8 year old daughter, Hayli, both of the home, mother Vicki Gerkin of Stroud, Oklahoma, an uncle Kenny Morris of Arkansas, cousins J.P. Morris of Stroud, Oklahoma, Kendra Walker in Oklahoma, Michael Bray in Arkansas and Faith Gerkin in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, his brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Steve Gerkin, grandparents Junior and Dorothy Morris and Dorothy and Joseph Gerkin, uncle Jerry Don Morris, aunt Dorthea Bray and his cousin Randy Gerkin. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm. at Countryside Funeral Home at 206 East Washington in Howard, KS, with a visitation for family and friends held on Thursday, September 29 from 5-7 pm also at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Piedmont Cemetery in Piedmont, KS. The suggested memorial is for Hayli’s Educational Fund and may be left or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349. Arrangements entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home and online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com

Joseph "Joe" Gerkin

November 12, 1976 - September 24, 2016