I have just learned of Joe’s passing and am stunned by this news and so deeply sorry and saddened to hear of it. I can only pass on my deepest condolences and sympathies to both Nancy and Chuck for this devastating loss that they and the entire family have experienced. I know what it’s like to lose a child and, although I’m late in hearing of this, I grieve for their loss of Joe.

Blessings to you all, and to Joe.

Nancy and Chuck, I am sending you my thoughts in prayers! Hold onto those memories!

I'm so very sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Joe was an amazing young musician and so willing to help out at St. Thomas More by playing trumpet. More than that, Joe was bright, humble, kind and just a wonderful young person. Gone way too soon, may he rest in the peace of heaven. Judy Duncan

I am so grateful to have gotten to know Joe and your amazing, loving family. I am so sorry for this unimaginable loss. You are forever in my thoughts.

Joe and I would watch 101 Dalmatians when we were very little. Joe knew every line. We would play the parts and laugh and laugh. He will alway be in my heart.

Nancy and family: I am still in shock at the death of Joe. Joe was an amazing person who left us way too soon. I worked with him at the Carver College of Medicine when he was one of our student employees. He was one of if not the best student employees we ever had! He was so dependable, hardworking and always willing to do whatever was needed. He worked a lot of collegiate events for us and we valued his professionalism! He always had a smile and fit right into the staff! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised about how valued and loved he was by all staff since he was your son, Nancy! You were always one of my favorite students Nancy! Wish we could have kept Joe even longer as one of our full time employees after he graduated! My deepest sympathies, Nancy and family, at the untimely death of Joe! He will be deeply missed by all! Linda Bissell

I have very fond memories of tutoring with Joe in the Frank Center at Iowa. Some of my favorite tutoring days were those slow Friday afternoons when we could just talk and laugh. My sincere condolences to your family. He will be missed.

Wow, I am in disbelief. Joe was such a wonderful friend and support for me during our University of Iowa years. We stayed in touch off and on after college, and if there’s two things that were always true, it was his way of making you feel comfortable and ability to have you laughing. He is an incredibly kind soul who would do whatever he could and more for anyone. He was honest and always kept me interested in our conversations. I’m sad and I’ll miss you my friend!

Grandpa Joe was truly a one of a kind friend, and I feel lucky to have known him since kindergarten. Joe is apart of so many of my favorite memories from Iowa City, and remained a dear friend to me even after I moved away. He was always up for grabbing a drink at Java house, debating a political issue, or doing what felt like 5 million reps at BodyPump. I always admired that Joe was authentically himself, and had a unique ability to bring people together. Conversations with him would somehow result both in deep belly laughs and lead to thought provoking questions. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family, friends, and all those who are feeling the loss of his amazing life.

Joe was such a delightful person. A rare treasure of a human being with kindness, compassion, wisdom, and integrity. He was so happy when I last had a long chat with him, excited to start his new job with people I knew would appreciate his humor, his work ethic, and the good person I felt glad to know as a friend. I wish his family peace and comfort now and forward. He loved them all so very much.

I am in disbelief that this wonderful old sole has left us. Joe’s quirky nature and kindness became a staple in my world his senior year of high school as he was one of a group of kids that came over every Tuesday for lunch. He took my daughter to prom and then ‘spent the night’ with many other kids afterwards. He and I sat in my kitchen and talked until 6:30 in the morning. No subject was off limits. His enthusiasm and love for his family was evident in the way he talked about them. The scary movie nights and trips were especially important to him. Joe and I were supposed to have lunch this month. I will forever be sorry that we weren’t able to do that. RIP Joe. Hugs to you all!

I first met Joe twenty years ago, when I moved in next door to his grandma, Marvel Beyer. I will remember the warmth of his smile, his unfailing kindness, and his affectionate good humor. My partner Kathy joins me in sending love and our deepest condolences to Nancy, Chuck, and Maria on this heartbreaking loss.

I have this crystalline picture in my memory: little Joey, dressed to the nines in a jacket and tie, coming to our puppet shows with his dear grandma Shirley. My heart breaks for you, Chuck, Nancy, and Maria!

Joe is the nicest person one could know. He always had a certain aura of wisdom to him and the sharpest wit. He made everyone feel right at home and laughing. My condolences to his family and the Iowa City community. He was an institution.

Joe didn’t mind talking politics to an old lady

He was smart and a joy to talk to

A great but too short life

My deepest sympathies to the entire family; sending lots of love your way!

Laura Fuller

My condolences go out to all of Joe’s family and friends. Joe and I butted heads quite often, but I nonetheless felt like he was a good guy. I have such fond memories from high school band and jazz band, many of which Joe was a big part of. With Javon and now Joe taken from us so suddenly, it feels like there’s a big jazz band shaped hole in my heart when I think back on those times. I remember being with Joe in Steve Grismore’s combo group one summer at the UIowa jazz camp for high schoolers; he made Joe and me choreograph some “moves” for our downtown performance of Cold Duck Time, which if you knew Joe back then was not his cup of tea. But it was very fun. It is bittersweet that we also played “Recordame” which was written and recorded by the saxophonist Joe Henderson, which translates from Portuguese to “Remember me.” For this Joe Henderson, so many of us West alums will gladly abide by that wish. Rest well my friend.

Joe, my cousin, this doesn't seem real. You have a heart of gold -- an infectious laugh, and a presence we will long for. I miss you.

Though you are physically not here, I can feel you all around us, watching over us and guiding us. We love you. I love you. Until we meet again -- keep sending us signs and beautiful dreams. Our beautiful angel.

My condolences to each of you. Words can’t do any of this loss justice. Joe was a bright light in so many lives. A treat to behold in his laughter and smile. I believe that when people leave life early they have other more important work to do with God’s Angels.

So it is with Joe. And as we keep him in on our hearts he will keep our hearts in eternity. My love and prayers to each of you always. Joellen Megan

How could this possibly be? Such a shining young soul gone to soon to those who loved him. His family, his friends, and all the people who knew him immediately when he smiled at them. His heart and soul was in his smile Prayers and love to this great family. He is definitely the brightest star in the sky now.

Love to all and hugs.. Maria don’t worry he will continue to watch over you.

Ellen DeMeulenaere

May the light of his love help to guide you in these challenging times.

Joe, typing this out right now is so hard because I’m just going to miss you so damn much. So many of my favorite memories are with you from growing up together in Iowa city to spending summers in Oelwein to all of our family vacations. We didn’t have the most in common but we always found a way to make each other laugh so hard and have so much fun no matter what we did. I know a piece of me will always be gone but I just hope I’ll get to see you again some day. Love you J Man

Our hearts may mend but will never be the same. Joe was the kindest soul a person could ever hope to meet. Love you Nancy, Chuck, Maria. Love you so much Joe, with us always.

Sympathy and prayers Chuck, Nancy, and Maria.

There is no laugh that I love and will miss more. Your memories will last a lifetime and your love will be carried close to our hearts forever. I will miss all of our inside jokes and shared laughs. See you again someday my dear cousin.

You took so much with you when you left us, Joey~ your smile, your infectious laugh, your quirky sense of humor, your sweetness and generosity and devotion to family~ to name just a few. Losing you has been unbearable~I carry you forever in my heart.

This news is so very hard to believe. I treasure our last conversation just a few short days ago. I'll never forget the day we met, when he was applying for a job at the University of Iowa College of Medicine; he was in business school at the time. We gave the applicants a filing test and didn't realize his mother was a past graduate of the school at the time. After he took it, we mentioned this, and he just chuckled saying his mom graduated so long ago she'd not be in the past decades of files. That's Joe - always a jokester (in a loving way) except when it came to his work. He was very serious about that, always wanting to do a good job and please everyone and extending his hand whenever possible to help. He was also a very giving person. He talked about his family with the upmost love and fondness. My heart breaks for all of you. There isn't a big enough hug to encompass all the love Joe gave. He truly is one of a kind. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. We love you Joe <3

You left us too soon. We will keep your memory alive and tell stories of the chaos and love we all shared. I love you Joey, our angel. XO