Joe Dean Humbolt

On the 22nd day of May, 1928, Joe Humbolt came into the world. Born the child of Iven and Bertha Humbolt. I lived on a farm that was two miles North and three miles East of downtown Mulvane. At that time, main street was the city of Mulvane. The Humbolts had 5 boys and two daughters. All was well until 1932 when Mom passed away and left Iven with 7 small children to care for. As I remember, 5 youth left for school in buggy pulled by one horse. Then Dad loaded Ruby and I in a wagon when he went to the field to pick corn or haul hay to the cattle. That was to be for one year and then Grandma on Mothers side came to help out. Things got better after that. She really knew how to fry Chicken and make biscuits. Grade school was great as we had several cousins and neighbors. It was a small school with only 4 students the last year. High School was to be a new experience. This High School had 13 Classrooms, inside plumbing, electricity and a gym to play in. It took some getting used, but soon it was like home. The last year, I had a car, a girl friend, and was a member of the Championship football team.

Back in the early 40s, jobs were everywhere. Some of the school kids got a job on the railroad as section hands. After the railroad, I got a job at the Wichita Stockyards driving and penning cattle. A while later, I found a job at the chicken hatchery on South Broadway. The year 1948 was the turning point. Big Brother Lloyd bought a new type pick up hay baler and we were batching hay on the farm. Very soon, we had a custom baler with a crew, baled hay in the day and hauled bales at night. Soon, we had so much hay that we bought cattle to feed and land to graze them on. Things were going great, but Uncle Sam told me I was headed to serve my Country. In late 1950, off to the service I went for two years, most of it in Korea. Interesting, but sometimes dangerous. I was decorated twice on the battle field; one Bronze star and one Silver star. Both were battlefield awards.

In 1952, I came home to life with new ideas that didn't agree with the rest of the world. The next six years were mostly down hill. Our farming venture was not intact, so I tried working at Boeing for one year. I thought I should be in charge, but was fired. I married, but couldn't be bossed, so divorced and such was life. Then in 1958, I met the love of my life, Hazel Ernst, and was married in 1959. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and shortly after in 1961, went into the plumbing business. As time passed, business was successful. Church work was a top priority. We found a property North of what was then town. We built a nice home, worked hard and God touched everything we did. From the plumbing business to farming, raising cattle, developing land, and even building houses. God then blessed us in our travels to the 50 States and several foreign Countries. A great journey here and a hope of eternal life with my Lord.

Joe is proceeded in death by his Wife of 59 years, Hazel Humbolt and Daughter, Judith Singleterry. Joe is survived by Daughter, Donna Glocker; Grandchildren Gary Singleterry, Cheryl Whelchel, Stacey Kizlinski, Tammy McAlister, Brad Singleterry, Chad Duis; 17 Great-Grandchildren and 18 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Visitation: 6 - 8 p.m., Thursday, November 21st at Smith Mortuary Mulvane Chapel, 501 S.E. Louis Blvd., Mulvane, Kansas 67110. Service: 10 a.m., Friday, November 22nd at First Baptist Church of Mulvane, 1020 N. 2nd Ave., Mulvane, Kansas 67110.