Joe Emmitt Abbey, 80, of Willow Springs, Missouri departed this life on May 14, 2017 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born December 4, 1936 in Mountain View, Missouri, the son of Emmitt Lawerence and Freida Opal (Belew) Abbey.
Joe graduated from Mountain View High School in 1954.
He was united in marriage to Grace LaRee Dunn on September 15, 1956 in Enid, Oklahoma.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, LaRee Abbey; four children, David Joe Abbey and wife, Cheryl, Mountain View, MO, Linda Casahuaman and husband, Carlos, West Plains, MO, Lora Abbey and husband, Danny Carr, Mountain View, MO, and Denise Bradshaw and husband, Roger, Willow Springs, MO; four grandchildren, Aaron Farris, Bryan and Mikel Casahuaman, and John Tyler Butler; nine great grandchildren, Todd Casahuaman, Tristan, Leighkyn, Alaina, Abby, and Madalyn Farris, Kendrix Coolbaugh, Victoria Navarro-Hanna, and Jackson Butler; and five siblings, Pat (Carl) Brown, Wanda (Ken) King, Diane Cowen, Rod (Gail) Abbey, and Steve Abbey.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents; son, Larry Dean Abbey; grandson, Matthew Farris; siblings, Jack, William "Bill", Mary, James "Jim", Jerry, Ronald "John", Delores, and Larry "Mike".

Joe attended Little Zion Church in Trask, Missouri.
He enjoyed hobbies with his wife, which included bowling, hunting, and fishing.
Early in life, Joe was employed by Cudahy in Wichita, Kansas.

In the 60s, he moved back to Mountain View to pursue what would be his lifelong career and passion of beef and dairy farming.

He also opened Abbey Gravel, a gravel plant operation.

Through his farming endeavors, he was awarded Farm Family of the Year representing Howell County in 1975.
Joe's family was closest to his heart; his children who still regard him as the pillar of the family, his many siblings, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He experienced the loss of a child, his son Larry Dean, on May 15, 1982 at the age of 22 years.
Joe was known to be one of the first to jump in where needed and provide a helping hand.
He continuously thought of others before himself and was a great caretaker.
The friendships he gained over the years were invaluable to not only him, but the whole family.
He was always willing to open his home to friends and family who needed a place to call home and he and LaRee were seldom without someone staying with them.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View with Bro. Robert Medley officiating.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.
Interment will be in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, Pomona, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.