Joseph Robert Edwards, 82, of Lincoln, died Saturday, July 12, 2014. Joe was born on June 9, 1932 in Stella, Nebraska to C. Harold and Pearl (Moody) Edwards. Joe grew up on the family farm and attended school in Stella. He graduated from Stella High School in 1950. He was class president. Joe attended the University of Nebraska, where he received a degree in agriculture in 1954. Joe was a member of Farm House fraternity and ROTC. During these years, Joe studied flying and became a pilot.
While at the university, he met his future wife, Paula Scharman. After graduating, Joe and Paula were married and moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for 6 months and then to Babenhausen, Germany for 18 months to fulfill Joe’s active duty service in the Army, where he was a 1st Lieutenant. They then returned to Nemaha County, Nebraska, and farmed until 1967. Joe was a member of the National Guard and served as the Commanding Officer of the National Guard unit in Auburn, where he was promoted to Captain. Joe was also active in the Masons; he was a member of Masonic Lodge #105 A.F. & A.M. at Stella, NE where he served as Master. He was also a member of the York Rite bodies in Auburn and later joined Electa Chapter #8 Order of the Eastern Star in Lincoln. It was during the years farming in Nemaha County that Joe became interested in politics. He served as President of the Auburn Jaycees and was Chaplain at the state level. He was President of the Nemaha County GOP. In 1967, he was appointed Executive Secretary of the Republican Party by Governor Tiemann. It was at this time that the family moved to Lincoln. Joe later became involved in writing federal grants for municipalities and counties. In 1979, he was elected to the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners, where he served until 1987. He later became a business owner. After retirement, he continued to work part-time in sales and furniture refinishing.
Joe remained active in the community after retirement. He was a volunteer with the Senior Partners program and worked at the Lincoln airport as a “Red Coat” assisting passengers. He often worked at the polls on voting day. He worked on a salary review committee for elected officials and for an association to promote business and civic projects for the North 27th Street neighborhood. Joe loved southeast Nebraska: its land, roads, politics, and people. People with special needs were especially near and dear to his heart. He would be happy to have memorials made to any of the organizations listed below.
Joe is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Greg Bartels of McKinney, TX; his daughter Beth Edwards of Minneapolis, MN; his son and daughter-in-law David and Brenna Edwards of Houston, TX; his grandchildren Meaghan and Grace Bartels and Scott and Thomas Edwards; his sisters and brothers-in-law Margaret and Peter Arcus of Vancouver, B.C.; Carolyn and Edgar Bredemeier of Stella; his sister and friend Merrie Edwards and John Miller of Lincoln and Hickman; his sister and brother-in-law Julie and Jeff Munford of Lincoln; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Paula, and by his parents.
Celebration of Life Service is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 9th at Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 “O” Street, Pastor Kerry O’Bryant officiating.
Memorials to Special Olympics Nebraska; ARC of Nebraska; Lancaster Foundation for Mental Retardation.
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