Joe Daffern 1935 - 2020

ELLINWOOD - Joe Daffern, 84, of Ellinwood, Kan., passed away Jan. 8, 2020 at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kan. He was born Jan. 21, 1935 in Wheaton, Mo., the son of Dewey Mitchell and Hazel Marie Willis Daffern. Joe was an Ellinwood resident since 1987, formerly of San Diego, Calif. He was retired from the United States Navy and then worked as a heavy equipment operator. 

Joe served in the United States Navy during the Korean and Vietnam Wars from 1952 until 1972. He was a member of the American Legion Post 320, Ellinwood, for 32 years. On Feb. 16, 1980, Joe was united in marriage with Judith Ann Doyle in Trinidad, Colo. She preceded him in death on April 12, 2018. He is also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Charles Daffern and Gary Daffern; and sisters, Merl Cook, Myrtie Gourley and E-Vona Lee Thrall. Joe is survived by a son, Carl Boulette and wife Cheryl of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Kathy Birzer and husband Aaron of Ellinwood, Kan.; brother, Doug Daffern and wife Ilene of Boise City, Okla.; sister, Barb Smith and husband Melvin of Henderson, Iowa; three grandchildren, Adam Birzer, Megan Birzer, and Samantha Boulette; and four great-grandchildren; Olive Birzer, Trinity, Serenity, and Xavier Garcia. 

A Celebration of Life Come and Go Gathering will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 starting at 1 p.m. at the Ellinwood American Legion. Food and drink will be provided. Memorials may be given to the Ellinwood EMS or Golden Years Home Health in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Home

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS 67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 12, 2020