Joseph Edwin Waddle, 89, of Ottumwa died January 16, 2026, at Ridgewood Specialty Care.
He was born July 29, 1936 in Floris to Robert Henry and Agnes Esther Christine Rippenger Waddle. He married Verla Alma Dalton May 11, 1956 and she preceded him in death November 20, 2012.
A 1955 graduate of Davis County High School, Joseph attended Indian Hills Community College. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Da Nang Hospital in Vietnam. He had worked at John Deere Ottumwa Works and then for Ottumwa Water Works, retiring in 1995.
Joe attended St. Patrick Catholic Church.
He was a member of Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Joe farmed in Wapello County and enjoyed whittling, attending stock car races and auctions, traveling, and photography.
Surviving are his children, Daniel Waddle of Corning, John (DeAnna) Waddle of Bloomfield, Matt (Margarita) Waddle and James Waddle both of Batavia, Mary (Mike) Sheeley of Ottumwa, and Debra (Jim) Dyer of Topeka, KS; 16 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 4 siblings, Donna Lough of Vinton, Norma Plain of Marshalltown, Floyd (Roberta) Waddle of Fayetteville, NC, David (Barb) Waddle of Breckenridge, MO
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters, Agnes Fitzsimmons, Judy Larue.
Visitation will be open 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 21st, at Reece Funeral Home. A Christian Wake service will be held 4p.m. at the funeral home. The family will be present to greet friends until 6 p.m. Wednesday, following the service.
Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, January 22nd, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Military services will be conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.
Memorials may be made to Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
