Joe Bert Kerby was born on November 21, 1938 in Glenwood, Missouri, the son of Bert and Maudie (Crump) Kerby and he passed away December 24, 2012 at the age of 74 years following a battle with cancer.

Joe leaves his wife Jeda Kerby of fifty years, and four sons; Chuck Kerby and wife Mary of Bentonville, AR, Brian Kerby and wife Michelle of St. Charles, MO, Brett Kerby and wife Wendy of Kirksville, MO, and Scott Kerby and wife Sara of Independence, MO. Joe also leaves eight grandchildren, one great grandchild and another great grandchild due to be born in March of 2013. Joe is also survived by one brother, Harold Kerby and wife Yvonne of Pharr, TX; and one sister, Maxine Brunk and husband Edwin of Tarkio, MO.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Maudie Kerby of Lancaster, MO; one brother, Terry Kerby and one sister, Helen Shepherd.

Joe was raised in Glenwood and Lancaster, Missouri. He graduated from Lancaster High School with the Class of 1956. Joe married Jeda Landtiser on December 21, 1962. As a young man, Joe worked for Equitable of Iowa in Des Moines until he served in the United States Army as a medic for two years. Joe then held several jobs, including working for the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 2004.

Throughout his life, Joe’s hobbies were hunting, fishing and time spent with his children and later, grandchildren.

The most defining movement in Joe’s life came when he gave his life to Christ during a revival at Hamilton Street Baptist Church in 1974. Joe then served Christ and the Church for the rest of his life with a true servant’s heart.

Public visitation will be held Friday (December 28, 2012) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday (December 29, 2012) at Hamilton Street Baptist Church, with Pastor Charles Jackson and Dr. Terry Hunsaker officiating. Interment will follow the service at St. John’s Cemetery in Livonia, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Lyle York, Tom Shumaker, Ben Gockel, and grandsons, Adam, David and Samuel Kerby. Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Beeler, Steve Lyons, Larry Hunter, Richard Entwhistle, Dennis Stokes and his brother, Harold Kerby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hamilton Street Baptist Church in care of the Sports for Christ Retreat, as it was Joe’s beloved Ministry for 40 years. Memorials may be left at the Hamilton Street Baptist Church or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.