Ottumwa, Iowa - Joe Walker Stump Jr, 89, of Meadowview in Johnston, formerly of Selma, Iowa passed away at the Taylor House in Des Moines on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Joe was born, August 12, 1936, in Ottumwa, Iowa to Willa Mary Michael Stump and Joe Walker Stump, Sr.

Joe grew up in Selma. He graduated from Selma High School in 1953 and attended Parsons College in Fairfield for one year. Joe married Dixie Swaim on July 13, 1956. Dixie passed away September 5, 2024, Joe wasn't sure how to live without her.

Joe and Dixie made their first home in Selma and began raising their children Julie, Mitchell and Jill. In 1966 Joe moved the family to Ankeny, Iowa where they lived for 32 years. After retirement Joe and Dixie returned to Selma where they lived 26 happy years.

Joe worked as a Parts Salesman and a Warehouse Manager. He retired from The Nott Company in 1998.

Joe was Worshipful Master of the Waveland Park Masonic Lodge #654, Windsor Heights, Iowa. Later he transferred to Celestial Lodge #10 Keosauqua, Iowa. Joe was affiliated with Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Des Moines, Iowa and was a member of the Greeters unit for many years. Joe volunteered to greet members and friends to Shriner events.

Joe loved to tell a good story whether it was as a tour bus guide volunteering for the Van Buren County Historical Society, or as the MC for the Selma High School Alumni Banquet or just playing cards with friends. His grandkids loved to hear his jokes and stories.

Sometimes the jokes were a little salty and grandma would have to intervene.

Joe and Dixie traveled to Duluth, MN once a year to sit by Lake Superior listening with his VHF transistor radio to the ship captains as they entered and exited Port of Duluth-Superior. After retirement Joe and Dixie took Amtrak to the west coast, Joe loved everything to do with trains. He enjoyed motorcycle poker runs and just going out for a ride.

Joe is survived by his three children, Julie Hause of Solon (Todd) Mitchell Stump of Iowa City, Jill Hinders (Randy) of Johnston; five grandkids, Lee (Erica) Hauser, Melinda (Chip) Stump, Zachery Stump, Rachel (Wyatt) Schmitt and Ross (Julia) Hinders; two great grandkids, Mara Hauser and Eloise Hauser and one sister-in-law Polly Swaim. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Margaret Price, Michael Stump, and Marilyn Jones, two grandkids Nicholas Stump Hauser and Michaela Anne Stump.

A Masonic service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 10th at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa, IA. Funeral services will follow with Pastor Mark Clark officiating. Burial will be in Iowaville Cemetery near Selma.

Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be one hour prior to the services on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made at the Shriner's Hospital for Children.