A graveside service for Jack Joecks, 85, was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, at Prairie Rest Cemetery near Guernsey with Reverend Rex Martin officiating.
Jack Joecks passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at the Platte County Legacy Home in Wheatland.
Jack was born on January 22, 1939 in Rawlins to Clara Elizabeth Lindback and George Fred Joecks. Jack’s family moved to Guernsey in the 1940’s, where he attended school and participated in sports and music.
He served his country for two years in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. Jack loved his town and served as a volunteer fireman and EMT. After three and a half years of college at the University of Wyoming, he decided that life indoors as a pharmacist was not for him and preferred heavy trucking and construction. He always received the highest praise in the rough and tumble construction world: “He was a hand.” Jack enjoyed his classic car and spent years attending car shows with his friends. Jack’s church was important to him, and he volunteered in the Presbyterian church, spending hours building, painting, or performing any required services that the church needed.
The last two years of Jack’s life were difficult, but he never gave up, as can be attested by town folks who would see him walking life a wounded bear with his walker no matter how hot, cold, or windy the weather.
In 1974, Jack married Martha Lay Haefele, a high school classmate who brought three children into his life, Kenneth, Connie, and Ronda, whom he treated as his kids.
Jack is survived by his wife, Martha Joecks; son, Kenneth Haefele; daughter, Connie (Buddy) Stoneking; three sisters, Rosemary Wilson, Nicoal “Babe” (Joel) Schad, and Nancy Gerhardt; one grandson, Billy Haefele; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Clara; sisters, Mary Kathryn Mclver and Joan Elsbeth Casner; and daughter, Ronda Haefele Elmore.
Gorman Funeral Homes - Platte Chapel of Wheatland, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.gormanfh.com
