Joseph McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy 95, of Ammon, ID, passed away peacefully at his home on June 30, 2012. A graveside service will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday, July 12, 2012 at the Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon, Nebraska. No visitation/viewing. Military Honors will be provided by the Nebraska National Guard in conjunction with the American Legion Post # 310. Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Carmel Home Keens Memorial. Online condolences or personal reflections may be submitted at www.osrfh.com. O'Brien - Straatmann - Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. He was born on January 2, 1917, in Des Moines, IA, to Cornelius and Katherine. He was accompanied in birth by his identical twin brother, Jim. The dynamic duo attended East Des Moines High School and became talented musicians playing in dance bands while still in their teens. Joe and Jim became one of six sets of identical twins that comprised The Beverly Twins Orchestra opening for such big bands as Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. He married the love of his life, Laura (Wadle) on October 31, 1942, in Los Angeles, CA. Joe served in WWII as a radio operator (while Laura helped build B-17 bombers in Los Angeles). After the war, Joe earned his Master's in Music Theory Degree from the University of Colorado, August 1947, and taught marching and concert band in Boulder, CO. In 1951, Joseph and Laura moved to Gibbon, NE, and raised their two sons, Michael and John. Joseph was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church as choir master and lectern. Joe was also active at Holy Rosary and Christ the King Churches in Idaho Falls. Joe was devoted to his faith and was a lay member of the Carmelite Order. On weekends, Joe played his saxophone and clarinet in many central Nebraska bands. Our beloved father was a loving husband, a brother in arms, grandfather, teacher, musician, rural postal carrier and a gentleman whose wit, love and intelligence will be forever cherished by his family and friends. Joseph is preceded in death by his parents and three sisters: Marie, Helen and Katherine; three brothers; Ed, Willis and Jim. He is survived by his children, John (Barbara) of Ammon, Idaho. Michael (Sandra) of Council Bluffs, IA; their children, Jordan (Jessica) of Omaha NE, and Matthew (Jennifer) of Washington, DC, as well as numerous great-grandchildren.

Joseph McCarthy

July 2, 2012