Joseph Allen Richards, age 79, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Legacy Gardens in Iowa City, Iowa.

Celebration of life services will be held at a later date. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Joe's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Joe was born September 14, 1941, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Willis F. and Opal L. (Hesseltine) Richards. He graduated from Washington High School in 1959. Joe was united in marriage to Marsha See in 1960. From that marriage three children were born: Kim, Robyn and Rick. The couple later divorced. In February of 1993, Joe married Linda Choate Janecek.

Joe worked for Robert Roe Heating & Cooling as manager of the hardware store. Joe was later employed by the City of Washington for 24 years as a firetruck driver until his retirement.

Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many years with family and friends at his cabin, he built himself, on the Iowa River. He went to Minnesota fishing with his best friends and fishing buddies, every year, for over 50 years. His passion was his woodworking and because of this, he was able to gift each one of his grandchildren a piece of furniture for high school graduation to use in their own home. He was very proud of this achievement.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Kim (Norm) Bruty and Robyn Stewart of Washington, Iowa; son, Rick (Michelle) Richards of Lampe, Missouri; step children, Mark Janecek of Wayland, Iowa; Jackie (Zeus) Knupp of Washington, Iowa; eight grandchildren, three step grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one brother, Jim (Cherryl) Richards of Washington, Iowa.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Richards and his wife Sue; and sister, Janet Shelman and her husband Oggie.