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Joseph Madigan
JOSEPH W. MADIGAN
Iowa City
Joe Madigan, 57, of Denver, Colo., died Jan. 10, 2016, at his home after a courageous three-year battle with melanoma.
Joe had a beautiful spirit, an infectious smile and a generous love that was an inspiration to us all.
Born in Chicago to Jim and Betty (Tefft) Madigan, Joe married his soulmate, Genia Miller, at sunrise on Aug. 8, 1981.
Joe was a respected wrestling referee at high school and college levels. Over the years he coached West High School boys and girls soccer teams, winning two Iowa State championships.
He was the printing supervisor for the Iowa City school district for 20 years while volunteering with at-risk teens. Joe served as youth pastor at Sharon Center United Methodist Church and Coralville United Methodist Church, where he led multiple mission trips to Appalachia to repair houses. In these roles, he positively affected the lives of many people.
Joe and Genia moved in 2006 to the southwest, where they continued working with youth, serving as houseparents for GAP Ministries in Tucson, Ariz. Joe later served as behavioral health lead at Sandhill Child Development Center in New Mexico.
He is survived by his wife, Genia (Miller) Madigan; children, Kara (Jay) Wefel, Curtis Madigan and Elise (Matt) Lorensen, all of Colorado, and Joshua Madigan of Cedar Rapids; and his cherished grandchildren, Sophia Wefel and Asher Lorensen, both of Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a great-nephew.
A celebration of life will be April 30 in Peoria, Ill. Details will follow.
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