Joeseph Francis Murnane, 92 of Girard passed away at 8:43 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at the Girard Medical Center.
Joe was born in the house that his grandfather Thomas Murnane built on the 80-acre homestead west of Girard on May 22, 1932, to Joseph and Margaret (Stremel) Murnane.
He attended grade school near his home and Greenbush Catholic School.
He graduated from Girard High School in 1950.
On Sept. 5, 1953, Joe and Rose Marie Kuhel were united in marriage at the Franklin Catholic Church, Rose Marie survives of the home.
Joe loved to work and operated a farm south of Girard since 1962 when he moved from Hepler. He retired from the Girard Post Office in 1992 after 26 years of service.
In his free time Joe loved to be outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and restoring farm equipment. He also enjoyed traveling the world with Rose Marie, including 7 cruises.
He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church of Girard and Knights of Columbus. He served on the Soil Conservation Board and received a 20-year service award. He also served on the Rural Water Board. He was a founding member of the Crawford County Rural Fire District Number 4 serving as Fire Chief for many years. Served in the Army Reserves 1950-1971.
Survivors in addition to his wife are two sons; Robert Murnane (JoAnn) of Pittsburg, Kansas, James Murnane (Gina) of Houston, Texas; two daughters, Linda Fairbanks (Tom) of Wichita, Kansas, Donna Kaufmann (Rod) of Olathe, Kansas; six grandchildren, James Murnane, Lindsay Fairbanks, Sara Fairbanks, Brock Kaufmann, Bryce Kaufmann, and Allie Kaufmann; one brother, Tom Murnane; four sisters, Dorothy Kroenke (Vic), Marge Abraham, Marilyn Rogers (Earl) and Esther Behrend (Bob) and one sister-in-law JoAnn Murnane.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Murnane, John Murnane, and one sister, Frances Rutledge.
Rosary will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at the St. Michael Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 26, 2024 with Fr. Daniel Vacca as officiant. Burial will follow in the Girard Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2:00 p.m. Friday. Memorials are suggested to Girard Medical Center Foundation and these may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home at 518 W. St. John St. P.O. Box 258, Girard, Kansas 66743.
Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com.
