Joel Everett Halterman

Joel Everett Halterman

Cedar Rapids

Joel Everett Halterman, 78, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died December 31, 2023, in St. Louis, Missouri. Born on March 6, 1945, in Cedar Rapids, Joel was a beloved husband, brother, uncle, and step-parent, step-grandparent, and step-great-grandparent. He was an esteemed member of his community.

Joel is survived by his devoted wife, Beverly A. Hinton Scanlon, his sister Ruth Ellen Halterman, his niece Karen Lynette Wright and many cousins. He also has an extended family with Bev’s son, Corey Waters, Debi Waters, and step-grandchildren: Sean Keeney, Connor Waters, Kyle Waters, and Kayleigh Waters and a step-great-granddaughter, Lucy Waters. He was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Halterman, his mother, Anna Halterman, his sister, Mary Lynette Halterman Wright, and his nephew, Kevin Wright.

Joel received his primary education at Coggon Elementary in Coggon, Iowa and went on to graduate from Coggon High School. He was a star basketball, football, and baseball player during high school. His junior in high school was spent in Hallenberg, Germany as an exchange student. There he learned German and traveled to many places in Europe. He and Bev graduated high school together and later connected at their 50-year class reunion. After high school he attended the University of Iowa but took a break to join the U.S. Army. He later returned to the University of Iowa and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Joel was a proud veteran, serving in the Army from 1967 to 1971. During his military service, he became fluent in Persian (Farsi) but was assigned to Berlin, Germany instead. There he excelled as a German translator for four years. His dedication and commitment to his country will always be remembered.

After his studies at the University of Iowa he worked at the Savage Lumber Company in Coggon, Iowa, owned by his father. Joel managed daily operations for fourteen years. Looking for a new challenge, he then went to work for Iowa Precision, now Mestek Machinery, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He traveled to forty-eight states and eleven countries setting up machines which made elbows for heating and cooling systems. He officially retired in 2007 but continued to service the machines on call until 2017.

Outside his professional endeavors, Joel was an avid pool player. His team in Cedar Rapids won multiple city championships and one state championship. He also was a fierce competitor in golf and bowling. Joel was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and attended Cardinals/Yankees games whenever they were in St. Louis. He loved cars, especially his Corvettes, which he proudly drove for years. He was a great photographer, and his talent will bring joy in looking through the captured memories.

Joel Everett Halterman will be dearly missed by all who know him. His legacy as a loving spouse, devoted brother, uncle, friend to many, step-father, step-grandfather, and step-great-grandfather, decorated veteran, and passionate hobbyist will be forever cherished.

Visitation will be 4-8 pm on Thursday, January 11 at Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood, Missouri. Funeral Service will be Friday, January 12 at 10 am, Bopp Chapel. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 11:30 am with military honors. Family and friends are invited to attend and pay their respects to this remarkable individual.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to be made to Needy Paws Rescue, 8923 Gravois Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123 in memory of Joel.