Funeral services for Joseph Earl Johns, 76 year old resident of Weatherford, Oklahoma will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 2:00 PM at The First Baptist Church of Weatherford with Pastor Don Morris officiating, under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.

Joseph Earl Johns, son of Alta Alfreda Johns, was born September 27, 1938 at Hydro, Oklahoma, and was reunited with his mother in Heaven on Friday, March 13, 2015. Joe, or Joe Earl, as he was known in his younger years, grew up on a farm north of Hydro where he lived with his mother and grandmother, Catherine Kate Johns. They lived in a large two-story house, which was shared by his uncle and aunt, Paul and Emma Johns and cousin, Fern.

In 1953, Joe gained a stepfather, and soon two brothers and two sisters were added to the family.

Joe attended Hopewell School, Jabbock Bible School in Thomas and Hydro High School where he graduated in 1956. He then attended Southwestern Oklahoma State College, working his way through, and as he liked to say, cramming four years into six, graduating in 1962.

Following graduation, Joe went to work in the Accounting Department at the US Gypsum Plant in Southard, Oklahoma, arriving one month after his future wife, Glenna Otwell of Canton, began working in the office there. They were married April 20, 1963 and moved to Oklahoma City.

Soon after moving to Oklahoma City, Joe began a 35-year career in Property and Casualty Claims Administration. During their five year stay in Oklahoma City, Joe and Glenna were blessed with two children, Traci Erin in 1966 and Darren Anthony in 1967. Joe loved his work and enjoyed the challenges associated with each assignment and also the transfers to various cities across the United States.

In December of 1982, Joe and family moved back to Oklahoma, settling in Weatherford. Joe continued working in the insurance business and also began investing in rental properties, which became a full-time job after he retired from the insurance industry.

Joe was a member of Pine Acres Church. Over the years, he enjoyed numerous volunteer positions in the church and the community. Some of the organizations he served in include U.S. Conference for Mennonite Brethren Churches, Habitat for Humanity, Leadership Weatherford, Weatherford Area Economic Development Foundation, and Weatherford Industrial Trust. Serving on the Weatherford City Council was a position that he took very seriously and found to be very rewarding. One of his most recent volunteer activities from which he derived much pleasure was working with 2nd and 3rd graders at East Elementary where his daughter Traci teaches. The kids looked forward to Mr. Joe coming as much as he enjoyed being with them.

Joe loved and was devoted to his Lord, his family, and his many friends. He was especially proud of, and enjoyed, his grandchildren and their activities. He seldom missed OU football games and Thunder games and was always ready either for a road trip with his grandsons and son-in-law to attend an OU game, or to join Weldon and Dale at SWOSU or high school basketball games.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother Alta and stepfather W.C. Schantz. He is survived by his wife Glenna of the home; one daughter, Traci and husband Richard Brownen, one son, Darren Johns; 3 Grandchildren, Trevor Brownen and wife Haley, Trent Brownen, and Terin Brownen all of Weatherford; Two brothers, Eddie Schantz of Bethany, Oklahoma, and Stanley Schantz and wife Orvilla, Weatherford; two sisters, Mary Ralston and husband Steve, and Carol Wichert and husband Steve, Weatherford; his mother-in-law, Luevada Otwell, Weatherford, brother-in-law, Kenneth Otwell and wife Lois, Kansas City, MO, one special cousin, Fern Bachmann and husband Art of Kalona, Iowa; and many other family and friends.