Joseph “Joe” Edwards

Joseph “Joe” Leonard Edwards

Aug. 12, 1932 - Feb. 6, 2023

McCOOK, Neb — Joseph “Joe” Leonard Edwards, 90, of McCook, passed away at Hillcrest Caring Center on Feb. 6, 2023.

He was born south of Culberston on Aug. 12, 1932, to Floyd and Josephine (Schmitt) Edwards. Later, the family moved to the homestead of his grandparents, Simpson and Rosella (Doherty) Edwards. Joe served his country in the Unites States Army, joining the service in Denver, Colo., on Feb. 5, 1951. Joe was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., for basic training and later served at White Sands Proving Ground Guided Missile Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 5, 1955.

Joe returned to Nebraska, where he was employed at Klein’s Motor and Electric and the McCook Packing and Rendering Company. He established Edwards Machine Shop, where he was a welder and master machinist. He also enjoyed working on his farms.

Joe was united in marriage to Ruth Fikan Gross who preceded him in death. Joe later married Alice (Witt) Nelson on Feb. 15, 1990, who preceded his death in 2022.

Joe was also preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Josephine; brother, Lee and wife, Elizabeth Edwards; two sisters, Laverne and husband, Peter Curcio and Lucy and husband, Grovert Harris; and brother in-law, Anthony Paolazzi, Sr.

Joe is survived by his sister, Goldie Paolazzi; his step-children Judy (Larry) Hall, Barbara (Frank) Peluso, Teresa (Johnny) Pineda, Tamara (Mark) Harpst, Brad (Celia) Nelson and Alan Nelson; his nieces and nephews, Penny Minary, Carmela Somma, Charlene Richards, Lucy Curcio, Laurie, Anthony, Ken and Ray Paolazzi and David Edwards.

Funeral services will be at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at 10 a.m., with Terry McCorkle officiating. Interment will be at Grove Cemetery south of Culbertson. Visitation will be at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Military honors will be performed by the Culbertson American Legion and the U.S. Army Honors at graveside. Memorials may be left in Joe’s name at the Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.