Joseph A. Wessel, Jr., 87, formerly of Effingham, KS died on Sat. Aug. 4, 2018 at the Gran Villas, Atchison surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 on Thursday, Aug.9th, 2018 at St. Ann’s Church, Effingham, KS with Fr. Benjamin Tremmel, OSB as Celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Ann’s Cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, August 8th, 2018, with visitation to follow until 8:00 pm at St. Ann’s Church, Effingham. The Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions are suggested to Gran Villas, Atchison or St. Ann’s Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Joseph A. Wessel was born on July 29th, 1931 in Kelly, KS the son of Joseph and Freida (Niehues) Wessel. Mr. Wessel served in the United States Navy as a Gunner’s Mate-Seaman First Class. He worked as the maintenance Supervisor for USD # 377 retiring in 1993. He was a member of the St. Ann’s Church, Effingham, was a former member of the American Legion Post #6, Atchison. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, cruising in his truck, mowing his yard, fishing, hunting, playing cards, and pitching horseshoes.

He was married to Mary Grollnes on Feb. 11, 1956 in Valley Falls, KS. She survives at Gran Villas, Atchison. Additional survivors include two sons, Steve (Peggy) Wessel, Baldwin City, KS, and Pat (Lisa) Wessel, Valley Falls, KS, three daughters, Judy(Tony) Jackson, Lancaster, KS, Linda (Tony) Kearney, Atchison, KS and Marlene (Mark) Westermann, Everest, KS, a brother, Tom (Connie) Wessel, Ft. Worth, TX, ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. His parents, and three brothers, Vince, Leander, and Jerry Wessel and a sister, Florence Edwards preceded him in death.