GERKIN, Joseph Wesley "Joe" - b. November 12, 1976 - d. September 24, 2016

[patyrn]

Joseph Wesley Gerkin, known fondly as Joe, age 39, of Americus, Kansas,  passed away on 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.

Joe 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 in Emporia, Kansas.

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.  He took 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 coed softball teams and in many tournaments with his wife, Dannielle and taught Hayli about the game as well.

Joe was a huge Oklahoma State University fan, and when he wasn't sporting camo, you could see him in Cowboy orange.  He 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 and eight-year-old-daughter, Hayli, both of the home; his mother, Vicki Gerkin of Stroud, Oklahoma; his uncle, Kenny Morris of Arkansas; his cousins, J.P. Morris of Stroud, Oklahoma, Kendra Walker of Oklahoma, Michael Bray of Arkansas, and Faith Gerkin of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and his brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.  Joe was preceded in death by his father, Steve Gerkin; his grandparents, Junior and Dorothy Morris and Dorothy and Joseph Gerkin; his uncle, Jerry Don Morris; his aunt, Dorthea Bray; and his cousin, Randy Gerkin.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 with a visitation for family and friends held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at the Piedmont Cemetery in Piedmont, Kansas.   The suggested memorial is for Hayli's Educational Fund and may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, and online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.

(taken from Countryside Funeral Home website)