Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Joseph S. DePaepe, 75, of Henderson, Nevada, and St. Charles, Illinois.  Joe was born in Saint Anthony’s Hospital, Rock Island, Illinois on May 16, 1946, the son of August A. and Bertie (Andrews) DePaepe.  He graduated from Rock Island High School and enlisted in the United States Navy while he was still a student.  He was sworn into the US Navy immediately upon his high school graduation. Joe was assigned as a qualified Helmsman in the Navigation Department of the U.S.S. Enterprise CVA (N) 65, which at the time was the world’s largest warship and only nuclear powered aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War.  Joe’s love of country continued throughout his lifetime, and he was proud lifetime member of the Henderson, Nevada, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 12101), and his close relationship with the Walcott, Iowa, American Legion Post 548.

Joe was an entrepeneur even as a teen. Setting up dances at local churches and performing as “JD the DJ” at the Memory Drive-In Theater in Milan, Illinois. Upon returning from Vietnam, Joe became co-owner and operator of the Falcon Press, Rock Island, Illinois which later became Falcon Printing and Publishing Company. He was a real estate investor, and the owner and operator of the restaurant/tavern, Jumpin’ Jacks, Rock Island, Illinois. In 1984, Joe’s vision and hard work resulted in his opening his own chain of convenience stores and gas stations called Mother Hubbard’s Cupboards, which grew to have 18 locations throughout the Quad Cities area. Joe was also the developer and owner of Smokin’ Joe’s Tobacco & Liquor Outlet, with 20 locations throughout the state of Iowa.

Joe was a man with various interests. He loved fishing, snorkeling, collecting vintage cars, the Bears, dogs, and a good cigar!  Friends were surprised to see him on the dance floor as he was a talented dancer and many didn’t know he was an excellent oil painter and sculptor. Joe thrived on adventure and was an avid world traveler. His favorite trip was visiting the Holy Lands with Sherry and walking in the Mount of Olives as Jesus did, wading in the River Jordan and visiting Bethlehem to see where his Lord and Savior was born. He was a family man, married for nearly 50 years, to the love of his life. He was a proud dad and the “Best Papa” in the entire world. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, August “Augie” A. and Bertie (nee Andrews) DePaepe, a brother, and a sister. Survivors include his wife Sherry (nee Partlow), daughter Casey, and treasured granddaughter Kierney, all of St. Charles, Illinois. Joe is also survived by his stepdaughter and son-in-law Kelly and Jim Mason of Salem, Ohio, niece Victoria Coutts and children of Moline, Illinois, and a special man he loved like a son, Tony Gripp, of Davenport, Iowa.

Donations in Joseph S. DePaepe’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army, his favorite charity.

• Send Flowers
• Guest Book
• Share
• Email
• Print