Joseph Francis
Emery
( 5/2/1920 - 4/7/1988 )
Joseph grew up in Clarkswille, Mo. On the banks of the Mississippi. He said he enjoyed his "Tom Sawyer & Huckelberry Finn" youth; Clarksville is located about 50 miles South of Hannibal on the River, enabling Joseph to enjoy similar experiences as those characters we could only read about. He graduated from High School in Clarksville, Mo.
He enlisted in the army and was selected to go to various military schools including Virginia Military and Yale University. He served in England and Europe during WWII and received the rank of Captain.
Joseph attended Evansville, Ind. Jr. College for 1½ years after receiving his discharge and then entered Purdue University in Lafayette Indiana. He was a graduate of Purdue with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Joseph worked for Standard Oil for 16 years and helped with the planning, lay-out and construction of the Standard Oil Stations along I-80.
Joseph married Mary Frances Wagoner (daughter of Thomas J. & Cecelia Wagoner) on July 22, 1977. They made their home in Omaha. They had a daughter, Sarah Frances, born September 17, 1980.
Joseph always enjoyed his trips to Wood River to family and civic functions; he especially enjoyed the Centennial parade and always enjoyed the friendly waves of passer-bys whenever he would go out driving. The people were always warm and friendly to him and he appreciated this.
Joseph’s family is pleased to make a contribution to the Wood River Foundation as we are aware of their fine work and know that the money will be used to enrich the lives of our family and friends in Wood River.