Obituary of Joseph H. Megerell

Joseph Hugh Megerell, age 77, of the Town of Lee, passed away on December 31, 2021, after a brief illness. 

He was born October 9, 1944, in Rome, a son of the late Ernest and Vivian Beck Megerell.  Joe worked hard his entire life.  He started as a youngster on the Megerell family farm until the age of twenty-one, then worked at Camden Wire for the next eighteen years.  He also worked for the Tree Preservation, and also did all kinds of concrete work for many years. The last forty years he spent digging graves at seven different cemeteries and the last nineteen of those years as superintendent of St. Peter’s Cemetery in Rome.  Joe took great pride in St. Peter’s Cemetery; it was a job he truly loved.  He finally retired in 2019, and moved back to his homestead in the Town of Lee.

Joe truly was a jack of all trades.  He could figure out the problem and fix almost anything.  He loved old country music, especially Double Chase.  He loved dancing to country music, playing cards and board games.

Joe is survived by his loving companion of 18 years, Linda Peters; two daughters and sons in law, Kelli and Timothy Metott, and Billie Jo and Jim Hildenbrandt; two sons and daughters in law, David and Tammy Seaton, and Ken and Sarah Megerell; three sisters, Charleen Baker, Myrtle Witchley and Donna Reed; a sister in law, Priscilla Megerell, a brother in law, Fritz Baker; 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by two sisters, Marilyn Baker and Tina Reed, and a brother, Clyde Megerell.

The funeral service will be held Thursday at 11:00 AM, at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.