Joseph La Verne "Joe" Campbell

Joseph La Verne “Joe” Campbell, 87, of Clarion, Iowa passed away April 11, 2008 at the Belmond Healthcare Center, in the comfort of his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion with Mr. Stan Watne and Pastor Dennis Secrease officiating. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion with full military honors

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Ewing Funeral Home, 602 N. Main St. in Clarion, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

In Lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Wright County Hopsice.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Shirley Campbell of Clarion; sons Brian of Clive, Iowa and Craig of Madison, Wisconsin; grandchildren Ashley and Jordan of Madison, Wisconsin; stepson Dan Sorensen of Goldfield; stepdaughter Penny Sorensen of Altoona, Iowa; brother Frank of Clarion.

Preceding him is death was his first wife Doris Campbell; brothers Gerald, Edward, and Richard; sisters Amy Seal and Florence Hahn.

Joseph La Verne Campbell was born on September 1, 1920 on a farm five miles east of Clarion, Iowa.  He was the son of John and Mary Campbell.   Joe graduated from Clarion High School in 1940.  He joined the United States Navy and served for six years aboard the USS New Mexico.  As Turret Captain, First Class he saw action in the major battles of the Pacific Theatre.  Joe participated in the liberation of the Philippines and witnessed the signing of the peace treaty at Tokyo Bay.

After the war, Joe came home to Clarion where he married Doris Harris on June 16, 1947.  He started his own plumbing business by working from the trunk of his car.  He later bought property on Main Street in Clarion, and established Campbell’s Plumbing and Heating with his wife, Doris.  The business flourished for over 36 years.  Joe and Doris retired in 1985.

In an active retirement, Joe became a skilled and avid golfer.  He served on several committees and boards of the United Church of Christ in Clarion, including the Board of Trustees.  Joe also served on the Board of Directors of Southtown Public Housing.  On July 10, 1993, his wife, Doris died.  Joe married Shirley Sorensen on July 17, 1996.  Joe continued to enjoy the many hours spent woodworking and completing projects around his home and yard.  Joe and Shirley spent winters at their ‘second home’ in Weslaco, Texas.  Joe relished the many visits to Madison to visit his grandchildren, and the hours over coffee with his friends.  His life was full and accomplished.