Joe passed peacefully March 2, 2021, at the age of 88. He is survived by his remaining sisters, Milly Conner, Lee Falkenstein, and JoAnn Weber (Joe's twin); his children, Paul Stover (Joy), Roger Stover, and Michele Stover; his grandchildren, Tony, JP, Ashley, and Canyon; and six great-grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his wife Lynn and son Art.
Joe was born in Creighton, Nebraska, to William and Mary Stover on August 23, 1932. He was the second youngest of 11 children. Joe moved to California at the age of 9, after his father found work in Gridley. In high school, Joe ran hurdles in track and field and played football as well as worked on a dairy milking cows. After high school Joe was drafted into the Army for the Korean War. He was drafted toward the end of the war and was honorably discharged after less than two years served. Joe returned home to Gridley and worked at Libbey's cannery, eventually working for truck hauling companies. Joe worked for Delta Lines when he was in an accident which pinned his leg between the tractor and trailer. After healing from the trucking accident, Joe moved to the ranch and home of his sister Agnes and brother-in-law Lou Hayes in Somes Bar, CA. While living at the ranch Joe worked a few different jobs, he was a carpenter and he worked for the elementary school as a janitor and bus driver. It was while living at the ranch that Joe met his wife Lynn Spalsbury. He spent most of his years working for the Forest Service as a maintenance man, retiring in 1994 when the family moved to Eureka, CA. In his retirement years Joe worked part time driving for Door-to-Door airporter shuttle for 9 years before fully retiring.
Joe and Lynn were married in 1973, and spent the first five years of their life together rebuilding a cabin at the ranch and riding motorcycles on backroads. Joe was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping, and also playing cards with friends. In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his children, reading, and watching sports.
Joe rests with his wife at Oceanview cemetery.
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