Joseph Rouse

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Joseph John Rouse, 84, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Rouse was born June 27, 1931, in Salem, Illinois, and grew up in Cape Girardeau. He married Martha S. Powell on June 28, 1954, in Clayton, Missouri. She survives of the home.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and had retired in 1993 from Farm Bureau Insurance as an insurance adjuster. Prior to Farm Bureau, Mr. Rouse served 13 years as a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Air Borne from 1950 to 1953.

Mr. Rouse was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and Elks Lodge, as well as a Friend of Bill W. He enjoyed spending time with his family, working in the yard and playing cards.

Other survivors include two children, Cynthia Sue Ponder and friend Jill Holley of Birmingham, Alabama, and Michael Joseph Rouse of New York; and two grandchildren, Katie (Will) Israel of Mobile, Alabama, and Brennan Ponder of St. Louis.

Mr. Rouse was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Doyle Rouse; his mother, Leona (Steele) Rouse Hitt; and a sister, Betty Raby.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel. Deacon David Farris will officiate. Inurnment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, 123 N. 8th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.