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He was born June 20, 1928 in Yutan, Nebraska to Nick and Marguerite (Keeler) Bales. He grew up in Fremont where he received his education. At the age of 16, Joe joined the Merchant Marines, and in 1946, at 18 years of age, he joined the United States Marine Corps.
He served from 1946 to 1952, and was wounded while in Korea. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart. Following his military service, he returned to Fremont where he was employed by Hormel's for 38 years.
Joe was a life long member of St. James Episcopal Church where he had been active as an usher. He was a member of VFW Post 854, and a past commander of American Legion Post 20. He had been a member of the Fremont Honor Guard of the VFW and American Legion. He was a past commander of the Disabled American Veteran's Chapter 18, and was instrumental in starting a thrift store for the DAV. He and Eldon Karlin headed the committee to put Fremont's Eternal Flame in place, and Joe and Clayton Koch started Fremont's Avenue of Flags.
On December 12, 1952, he was married to Carolyn Andersen in the First Lutheran Church in Fremont.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Marguerite, a sister Margie Lou Riggs, a brother John Bales.
Survivors: wife - Carolyn
3 daughters - Patricia Bales, Judith and husband Keith Main, and JoAnne Bales, all of Fremont
2 sons - Joseph Bales of Grand Island
Dean Hendricks of California
6 grandchildren - April and husband Russ Leedom, Amber and husband Jamie Potter, P.J. Crawford,
Aubrei Luedtke, Maggie Sullivan, and Cassie Sullivan
4 great grandchildren
brother - Richard and wife Delores Bales of Fremont
The funeral service will be 11 AM Thursday (Dec. 23rd) at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel, Fremont, with Rev. Jay Gabb of St. James Episcopal Church officiating. The committal will follow in Ridge Cemetery with Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps and the Honor Guard of the Disabled American Veteran's Chapter 18. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Wednesday (Dec. 22nd) from 2 to 8 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 PM.
online guest book at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
He served from 1946 to 1952, and was wounded while in Korea. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart. Following his military service, he returned to Fremont where he was employed by Hormel's for 38 years.
Joe was a life long member of St. James Episcopal Church where he had been active as an usher. He was a member of VFW Post 854, and a past commander of American Legion Post 20. He had been a member of the Fremont Honor Guard of the VFW and American Legion. He was a past commander of the Disabled American Veteran's Chapter 18, and was instrumental in starting a thrift store for the DAV. He and Eldon Karlin headed the committee to put Fremont's Eternal Flame in place, and Joe and Clayton Koch started Fremont's Avenue of Flags.
On December 12, 1952, he was married to Carolyn Andersen in the First Lutheran Church in Fremont.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Marguerite, a sister Margie Lou Riggs, a brother John Bales.
Survivors: wife - Carolyn
3 daughters - Patricia Bales, Judith and husband Keith Main, and JoAnne Bales, all of Fremont
2 sons - Joseph Bales of Grand Island
Dean Hendricks of California
6 grandchildren - April and husband Russ Leedom, Amber and husband Jamie Potter, P.J. Crawford,
Aubrei Luedtke, Maggie Sullivan, and Cassie Sullivan
4 great grandchildren
brother - Richard and wife Delores Bales of Fremont
The funeral service will be 11 AM Thursday (Dec. 23rd) at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel, Fremont, with Rev. Jay Gabb of St. James Episcopal Church officiating. The committal will follow in Ridge Cemetery with Military Honors by the United States Marine Corps and the Honor Guard of the Disabled American Veteran's Chapter 18. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Wednesday (Dec. 22nd) from 2 to 8 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 PM.
online guest book at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com