July 15, 2005 The ADVOCATE’s Free Press & Community News Serving Anderson, Southern Franklin and Western Linn Counties Volume 9, No. 56 Transcribed with permission of Vern Brown Page 5, Column 1: “LCDR Joe R. Lee USN (ret) 1936-2005 LCDR Joe R. Lee USN (ret), age 68, of Ottawa, died Saturday, July 9, 2005, at his home. Funeral services with United States Navy honors were held from the Cherry Street Wesleyan Church, Ottawa, 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, with Pastor Scott Dickinson officiating. Private inurnment was held in Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. Joe Ramon Lee was born August 5, 1936, at Ottawa, the son of James Herman and Esther M. (Kirk) Lee. Joe grew up in Ottawa. During his Naval career, he lived in many locations including Yokosuka, Japan, and San Diego, CA. Following his Naval career, he lived in Ottawa, Al Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Norman, OK, returning to Ottawa in 2002, where he made his home until his death. Joe graduated from Ottawa High School with the Class of 1954. While serving in the United States Navy, he attended Sonar School, Mine Detection Sonar School, Leadership School, Instructor School, AIC/ASAC School, Gunnery Officer’s School, 5/38-3”/50 Maintenance School, Anti Submarine Warfare School, Destroyer School, PCO/PXO Mine Warfare School, Naval Control, and Protection of Shipping School. He served in the United States Navy from August 25, 1954, to May 1, 1975. He was a Sonar Technician on three minesweepers, Leader (MSO-490), Widgeon (MSC-208), and Woodpecker (MSC-209). He later served as an officer on three destroyers, Stoddard (DDO566), Reeves (DLG-24), Rowan (DD-782), and was commanding officer on two minesweepers, Rival (MSO-468) and Dynamic (MSO-432). Joe was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, two Good Conduct Medals, China Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. At retirement from the Navy, he was serving as Lieutenant Commander, Port Control Officer, and Harbor Master at Yokosuka, Japan. After retirement, Joe enjoyed a successful 10-year career with Housing and Urban Development (H.U.D.). He also worked in the real estate business in California and owned in partnership with Larry Miller, Miller Lee & Associates, in Ottawa. He was also employed two years as Shipyard Superintendent in Al Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Joe was a member of Cherry Street Wesleyan Church. His faith in the All Mighty was incredibly strong, and he derived great enjoyment from spending time with his family and grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly. His circle of friends encompassed the world, some going back to his early childhood. He enjoyed the out-of-doors, where his lawn and roses gave him great pleasure. Joe was united in marriage with Naoko Kawasaki. They later divorced. On November 20, 1988, Joe was united in marriage with Kathy Cowdin at Ottawa. She survives of their home. Joe is also survived by his daughter, Cindy Dengel and her husband, Craig, of Ottawa; his step-daughter, Dixie Lumbrit and her husband, Eric, of Overland Park; his step-son, Warren Hancock and his wife, Callie of Ottawa; his brother, Mike Lee and his wife, Wendy, of Tucson, AZ; his sister, Caramitta McMyler and her husband, David, of Richland, WA; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Pointelin and her husband, Jason, Christina Scheer and her husband, Time, Chase Dengel, Sean, Cidney, and Andrew Hancock, Daniel Moffatt, and Alix and Zoe Lumbrit; and his Great-grandson, Wyatt Schmoe. His parents and his half-sister, Phyllis Piper, preceded him in death. The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice or Wesleyan Youth Camp fund. Dengel and Son Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.” Page 5, Column 2: “Frances Inez Grosdidier 1913-2005 Funeral services for Frances Inez Grosdidier, 91, were Monday, July 11, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel with Rev. Gary Benjamin officiating. Interment was in Garnett Cemetery. Mrs. Grosdidier died Saturday, July 9, at Anderson County Hospital Long Term Care Facility. Frances Inez Grosdidier was born November 8, 1913, at Colony, the daughter of Arthur Lee and Fannie Bell (McKelvey) Brown. She attended school in Lone Elm where she completed the twelfth grade. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, and gardening, but shopping was her favorite activity. Frances and Owen C. Grosdidier were married May 4, 1934 at Selma. This union was blessed with three children. He preceded her in death on December 8, 1992. Mrs. Grosdidier was also preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Rachel, Murriel, Madge, and Fay Edna; and her son-in-law, Delbert Harris. Francis is survived by her son, Wesley Grosdidier of LaHarpe; her daughters, Marlene Walburn and her husband, Steve, of Colony, and Marvelle Harris of Kincaid; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Casketbearers were Darrel Harris, Danny Harris, Gary West, Scott Badders, Linnie Grosdidier, and John Stokes. The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association. Farris-Feuerborn Memorial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.” Transcribed for Anderson County Kansas USGENWEB By: Lulu B. Nixon