Obituary of Joseph Howard O'Rourke

Graveside Services for Joseph Howard O’Rourke of Foley, MO will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Bethany Cemetery near Winfield, MO. J. Larry Carter of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home will officiate. Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Knox, Ray Neuenkirk, Gary Haney, Jared Lange, Mark Suchland and Stacee Lange. Mr. O’Rourke, 86, passed away Wednesday morning, May 25, 2016 at his home. Born January 31, 1930 in Hayti, MO, he was the son of Howard and Verna Denny O’Rourke. Joe was a 1946 graduate of Arkansas State High School in Jonesboro, AR. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict from October 17, 1950 until he was honorably discharged as an Airmen First Class on September 2, 1954. He was united in marriage to Adelina “Dina” Besquet. Joe worked as an Aviation Electronics Engineer for Boeing and Emerson Electric, retiring in 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Verna O’Rourke; one sister, Edith Wilson; his grandson, Matthew Knox in 2003; and his wife, Dina O’Rourke, who was the love of his live, died January 28, 1976. Survivors include his daughter, Denise Knox and her husband, Dennis, of Foley; one granddaughter, Sabra Suchland and her husband, Mark; three great-grandchildren: Kadince Grace, London Ann and Sebastian Edward. Joe also leaves four brothers: James O’Rourke of Washington, John O’Rourke of California, David O’Rourke of Tennessee and Patrick O’Rourke of Louisiana; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.