Roy “Joe” Southard, 82, left this Earth peacefully surrounded by love and family on Jan. 25, 2024, to be with our Heavenly Father. He was brought into this world on March 27, 1941, in Hutchinson, Kan., by his mother, Claudie “Dolly” (Gough) Southard and father, George Southard. Joe met the love of his life, Loretta Ohnmacht, in 1958, and they married in 1961 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz and were together 62 years.

Joe was a lifelong resident of Great Bend. He was CEO of Southard Corporation, and was co-owners of Central Kansas Commercials, Concept Commercials, L3 Energy, Midwest Rentals, and Southard Donovan Family Farms. Joe believed in hard work and dedicated his life to his family and his businesses. He was a proud and devoted father and grandfather, with his favorite pastime as being able to spend time with his kids, grandkids, and his new great-grandsons.

He is survived by his wife of the home; son, Michael Southard and wife RaShann of Great Bend; grandsons, Dr. Kristopher Southard and wife Jordyn of Kansas City, Mo., Kade Southard of Lawrence, Kan., Joey Wenberg and wife Allie of Denver, Colo.; granddaughter, Elizabeth Wenberg of Overland Park, Kan.; great-grandsons, Callan Southard and Charlie Wenberg; sister, Sharon Erwin of Wichita, Kan.; son-in-law, Todd Wenberg of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and sister-in-law, Mary Southard of Coral Springs, Fla. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Lauri Wenberg; granddaughter, Kirstin Wenberg; his parents, George and Dolly Southard; brother, Gary Southard; and brother-in-law, Bert Erwin.

Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 1, 2024, with family to receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Vigil service and rosary will take place at 7:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 2, 2024, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with Father Aneesh Parapanattu and Father Bob Schremmer presiding. Interment will immediately follow at Great Bend Cemetery North. Memorials have been designated to Holy Family School Endowment or Hands of Hope Rescue, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 30, 2024