Joe Pelts

KENNETT, Mo. -- Joe Don Pelts, 74, of Kennett died peacefully Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, after a long battle with melanoma.

He was born Aug. 24, 1936, the fourth of five children to Lee and Eunice Norman Pelts. He and Patsy Ann Finch were married Aug. 19, 1954. They were married 28 years, until her death in 1982.

Joe was a successful cotton farmer, with a career spanning 40 years before retiring in 1994. He made his first cotton crop before graduating from Caruth, Mo., public schools in 1954. Joe continued farming with his father until his death in 1965. Over the years he was part owner with his family of Kennett Farm Equipment, and was a part owner of Farmers Union Gin. He served on the PCA Board.

He served in the National Guard.

On March 9, 2003, he married Carolyn Hoskins, and they enjoyed eight happy years together.

Joe was a kind-hearted man who was loved and cared for by many. He will be best remembered for his generous heart, great sense of humor, and easygoing nature. He was happiest when he was overseeing his cotton crops each season and enjoyed daily drives to Caruth to watch their progress. When he wasn't farming, Joe was an avid Cardinals fan, and for many years followed the team to Florida for their annual spring training.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; two sons, Mark (Carol) Pelts of Kennett, Dr. Paul Pelts of New Orleans; a daughter, Stephanie (K.C.) Martin of Cape Girardeau; a granddaughter, Ann Catherine Martin; two stepchildren, Marc (Donna) Hoskins of Kennett and Marcy (Chuck) Tybur of The Woodlands, Texas; four stepgrandchildren, Evan Hoskins of Munich, Elaine Hoskins of Auburn, Ala., Jonathan and Spencer Tybur of The Woodlands; two sisters, Patsy (Eules) Hively of Kennett, Phyllis (Bill) Faulman of Chicago; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Ann; parents; and two brothers, Lee Jr. "Peck" and Charles.

Joe's family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Gerald Linette and the staff of Barnes-Jewish Hospital of St. Louis for their excellent medical care and constant compassion.

Visitation was held May 13 at McDaniel Funeral Home in Kennett.

A private family burial was held May 14 at Memorial Gardens in Kennett.

The family requests that memorials be made in Joe's name to Our Mark on Melanoma Inc., Melanoma Research Fund, c/o Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation, 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO 63110. Other memorials are welcome to a charity of donor's choice.