Joseph "Joe" G. Laufer

Joseph (Joe) Granville Laufer, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 13th, 2025.

Dear son of the late Granville and Henrietta (nee Deppe) Laufer. Joe is survived by his wife of 57 years Janet (Jan) Marie Laufer (nee Grose); his daughter Christine (Chris) Marie Kimack; son-in-law Gregory Michael Kimack; granddaughters Julia Marie and Olivia Grace and grandson Gregory “Cole” Kimack. Dear brother of Jeanenne Kopff (nee Laufer) (late husband Donald), and the late Claudia Henderson (late husband Leland); and the late Richard Laufer, Patricia survives. Brother-in-law of Charlene Stewart (nee Grose) (late husbands Melvin “Butch” Schmoele and Joy Stewart). Dear Uncle, great uncle, great-great uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Joe grew up in Jennings, MO, graduating from Corpus Christi grade school and Jennings High School. Joe was an avid athlete in both grade school and high school, participating in many sports - baseball, shot put, track and others. His trampoline and tumbling skills became clown stunts performed at grade school events. Joe could often be found setting pins at the Corpus Christi Bowling Alley when he wasn’t busy with friends jumping trains in the neighborhood. After his education Joe worked at several trades, particularly enjoying his time spent alongside his Uncle Harry as an apprentice tile setter. Between 1964 and 1969 Joe served in the Army Reserves, training as an Engineer in the Army Transportation Corps and earned the “Expert Rifle Qualification”. In 1967 Joe became a member of I.B.E.W. Local #1 – enjoying his 58 years of membership and brotherhood until the time of his passing.

Joe was passionate about his family, especially daughter Chris and his grandchildren Julia, Olivia and Cole; his four beagle dogs - Patches, Amanda, Sadie, and Daisey and grand-dog Tyko; golfing – enjoying his membership in the “Wednesday Golf Group” (WGG) in his later retirement years; and running weekly target shooting fund raising events at AMVETS Post 55 where he served as a Trustee and Third Vice President.

A strong-willed, private person, Joe was kind, generous, and knew no strangers. He will be dearly missed. The family is thankful for cherished memories and for Joe’s friends that share memories. He had a long run – 84 years. We are thankful and know he will be watching over us all.

The Laufer family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and caregivers who supported Joe in his final days at St. Luke’s Hospital and ICU and at Evelyn’s House. 

In lieu of flowers: memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Missouri or the American Heart Association.

The family is being served by Pitman Funeral Home in Wentzville.

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