"Joe was a person I dealt with in business several years ago and considered a true friend. I made a point of stopping in to find Joe every time I happened to drive past Ponca, Rest in peace my good friend Joe..."
In loving memory of
Joe E. McArdle
July 30, 1933 - February 19, 2012
Joe E. McArdle, 78, of Ponca, NE passed away at his residence on Sunday, February 19, 2012.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 24, 2012 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponca, NE with Father David Liewer officiating. Burial will be in Calvary at South Creek Cemetery in rural Ponca. Visitation with the family present will begin at the church at 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 23, 2012, with a prayer service and rosary at 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE. Online condolences may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.
Joe was born in rural Martinsburg, NE on July 30, 1933, the son of Michael and Winifred (Walsh) McArdle.
He attended grade school in Martinsburg and high school in Ponca, graduating in 1951. He married Carol Bauman on November 15, 1952 in Ponca, NE. Joe worked at various jobs before working for Brady's Market from 1960 to 1963. He purchased McArdle's Bar in 1964 and continued working with his son Rick, after Rick purchased the Bar in November of 1996. Joe was also the caretaker of Calvary at South Creek Cemetery for many years.
Joe was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Ponca Fire Department and served a number of years on the Ponca Alumni Committee. He was also Days of '56 Parade Chairman and coached PeeWee baseball for a number of years.
Joe enjoyed Nebraska football, old tractors and cars, high school sports and people. He has justifiably been referred to as a pillar of the community in Ponca.
Survivors include his children, Joey McArdle and special friend, Kathy Galvin of Newcastle, NE, Rick McArdle and his fiancée, Melinda Cory, Jeriann (Tim) Spillane, and Mark McArdle, all of Ponca; granddaughter, Sara Spillane of Ponca; brother, Paul McArdle of South Sioux City, NE; sister-in-law, Donna McArdle of South Sioux City, NE; and brother-in-law, Jim Bauman of Redding, CA.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carol in 2001; 9 brothers and sisters; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
Tributes
"My sympathy on Joe's passing, I looked forward to seeing him and sharing a story each time I visited your place. I will miss those oportunities but relish the ones we had. He was truely one of the greatest Publicans these parts will ever see, and an even better man. Ride in Peace Joe."
"My deepest sympathy to Joe's family. Ponca just will not be the same without him. He served his community in anyway they needed. No matter how many years it had been since I came home to visit and stopped in to the bar, he always came up and talked to me like I never left Ponca. Ponca lost and icon in their community, but we all have many fond memories to remember him by."
"Dear Cousins,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Uncle Joe. He was always that great uncle we looked up to and respected. He was also a wonderful husband and father. We will miss him.
"
"We are so sorry for you loss Joey, Rick, Jeriann and Mark. Your father was a special guy who was quick with a smile and a laugh. We have nothing but fond memories of him and will miss him greatly. "
"McCardle family, We are so sorry to hear of Joe's death. He was one of the good guys."
"Dear Joey, Jeriann, Rick, Mark, and family,
Sincerest condolences in the loss of your dad; a cousin, friend, and our neighbor for nearly 40 years. You are all in our prayers and thoughts"