Joseph Eugene Triplett, age 86, of Washington, passed away Thursday, May 13, 2021, at the Halcyon House in Washington following a short illness.

A private Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Bernie Weir officiating. Services will be livestreamed on the Jones & Eden Facebook page. Calling hours will begin noon Tuesday, May 18th at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Mask usage and social distancing guidelines will be observed. Interment with military honors will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for St. James Catholic Church, Hospice of Washington County or the Halcyon House Good Samaritan Fund. Online condolences may be sent for Joe's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Joe was born May 2, 1935, in Pomeroy, Iowa, the son of James Thomas and Marie L. (Baker) Triplett. Following high school Joe attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and later graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy. Joe served honorably in the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Josephine Laura Meisenbach on June 14, 1958, in Rolfe, Iowa. She preceded him in death in 2017. He married Melva Mineart on July 14, 2018, in Washington, Iowa.

He grew up in Iowa, resided in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, and returned to Iowa in 1990. Joe worked in Agricultural Sales for many years until his retirement. Following his retirement Joe worked at the Northwestern Mutual office in Washington. He was a member of the St. James Catholic Church, Parish Council, Knights of Columbus and the Diocesan Social Action Commission. He was also a member of the RCIA team, Agricultural Association of Iowa, Washington County Empowerment Board of Directors and was a Certified Crop Advisor.

He is survived by his wife, Melva Mineart-Triplett of Washington, IA; nine children: Catherine Ballew of Champaign, IL; Gene Triplett and wife Diane of Monticello, IL; Mary Davis and husband Shawn of Fithian, IL; Elizabeth Champ and the late Horace "Tony" Champ of Hebron, KY; Kevin Triplett and wife Sandra of Powder Springs, GA; Patricia Storer and husband Gene of Bourbonnais, IL; Joseph Triplett and wife Michelle of Bloomington, IL; Laura Fisher and husband Aaron of Washington, IA; and Susan Van Osdol and husband Mike of Washington, IA; five step children: Stephen Mineart and wife Joyce of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Gary Mineart and wife Janis of Decorah, Iowa; Carrie Daggett and husband John of Ft. Collins, Colorado; Kevin Mineart and wife Jody of Wever, Iowa; and Doug Mineart of Springdale, AR; 40 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren and 7 step great grandchildren; siblings: Luann Overton of St. Charles, IA; James Triplett and wife Zola of Tulsa, OK; and Richard Triplett and wife Margarida of Westport, MA; sisters-in-law, Millie Triplett and Jeanne Triplett; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Josephine, in 2017; and sons-in-law, Tony Champ and Craig Tanner; three brothers: Thomas Triplett and wife Marcella, Larry Triplett and Michael Triplett; an infant sister, Mary Genevieve Triplett, and one brother-in-law, Don Overton.