Memorial Funeral Mass for Joseph "Joe" Gavin, 78, of Martensdale, who passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024, at EveryStep Kavanagh House, will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 23 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys, with burial of cremains following in the St. Marys Cemetery.

Joseph Raymond Gavin was born at home in St. Marys on July 7, 1946, the seventh of nine sons born to Francis and Helen Gavin. He attended school in St. Marys through his sophomore year, then Martensdale St. Marys High School after the consolidation, graduating in 1964. Joe worked as a truck driver right out of high school and then for Armstrong Tire. He learned flooring installation from his brother Bob and became an independent installer for several years. In addition to laying carpet, Joe started selling life insurance and in 1975 became the manager for Warren County Mutual Insurance Company. This is also the year that Joe started driving a school bus for Martensdale St. Marys school district. This was his favorite job. He loved kids and they loved him. He drove his bus for 48 years and on the last day of school each year, he was known to hand out pop and full-size candy bars, to celebrate. Joe started Gavin Insurance Agency, as an independent agent in 1990, where he spent 35 years making friends and building life-long relationships with customers, retiring in 2015.

Joe married Joyce Beck and blended their families to include five children, in 1998.

Joe was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church in St. Marys, Knights of Columbus, and served on the Warren County Conservation board for 20 years. He was also an active member of the Des Moines Izaac Walton League, serving as President on their Board of Directors for two years and volunteering countless hours in various roles at IKES events. His love for kids and passion for the great outdoors led him to create, develop, and promote The Outdoor Expo, a free outdoor event through the Des Moines Izaak Walton League, for kids and their families to have fun together and experience all that the great outdoors has to offer. Many lasting friendships grew from his commitment to the IKES. Joe was named honorary President in 2024.

Joe loved the outdoors, hunting, camping, but his greatest love was fishing. He was an avid fisherman. He especially loved his fishing trips to Canada. He didn't always catch much, sometimes nothing, but he would always say, "I told you I was going fishing, not catching! That's why it's called fishing!" He loved spending time with his friends and his family, especially the grandkids, several of them lucky enough to have wonderful memories of fishing with Grandpa in Canada.

Joe always wore a smile, never met a stranger, and was quick to help anyone in need. He was a great storyteller, a friend to all, ornery as they come, and a genuinely kind and compassionate man with a heart of gold. He will be deeply missed.

Joe is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Jeff Gavin, Dean (Agi) Gavin, Amy Gavin, Christy Olson, Lisa (Dustin) Carlson; grandchildren, Mack, Drew, Will, Jordyn, Gage, Paiten, Jensen, Jerry, Jack, Cody, Connor, Alayna, Hayden, Brooks; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Don (Joanne), Jim (Dorothy), Bob (Janice), Ben, Frank (Helen), Dave (Janette); and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Helen Gavin; brothers, Dale and Charles; and sister-in-law, Pam.

Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, July 22, at the St. Marys Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Des Moines Izaak Walton League or the Martensdale Fire Department.