Ruley, Joseph A.

Joseph A. Ruley, 87, of Oxford Junction, died Thursday, April 5, 2012, at Mayflower Cemetery in Oxford Junction, that he cared and took pride in so many years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oxford Junction, with the Rev. Greg Steckel officiating. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lahey Funeral Home in Oxford Junction, where a Scripture service will be held at 7 p. m. Burial will be in Mayflower Cemetery, Oxford Junction, with military honors by Wapsi Unit 473 American Legion in Oxford Junction.

Joseph Albert Ruley was born March 31, 1925, in Oxford Junction, Iowa, the son of Joseph Frank and Barbara (Maruna) Ruley. He attended area rural schools. On Jan. 29, 1955, he was united inmarriage to Lorna Husmann in Anamosa. They lived on the same farm their entire married life. She preceded him in death Feb. 6, 2012.

He farmed in Lost Nation, Monmouth and Oxford Junction all his life. He also did custom corn shelling for many years.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oxford Junction, and the Wapsie Unit 473 American Legion. Since 1969, Joe and Lorna worked at the Legion-sponsored dances. They also worked with Wapsie Unit 473 to establish the Avenue of Flags at the Mayflower Cemetery and headed the project for 13 years.

Joe is survived by his two children, Dawn (Paul) McDermott of Delmar and Mark Ruley of Mount Vernon; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Josephine Behne of Oxford Junction; four sisters-in-law, Eloise Ricklefs of Anamosa, Loretta (Ron) Stahlberg of Waverly, Mary Murray and Nadine Ruley of Oxford Junction; and two brothers-in-law, John (Pat) Lubben of Montezuma and Jim (Maureen) Lubben of Boston, Mass.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one son, Brad Joseph on June 24, 2003; one brother and one sister.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.laheys.com.

Published April 8, 2012 in The Gazette