Wilfred "Joe" Hamel, age 86, died Sun., Feb. 2, 2014 at Mt. Joseph Senior Village, Concordia. Joe was born on Nov. 30, 1927 in St. Joseph, KS to Wilfred G. & Agnes L. (Lavigne) Hamel.

Joe graduated from Clyde High School in 1945 and joined the US Navy, serving until 1947. He married Gloria A. Hebert on July 25, 1950 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia. Joe & Gloria have spent most of their married lives in Concordia. Joe worked as the parts man for the Ford garage for 10 years before working as a postal clerk at the Concordia post office until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church where he served as Sacristan for over 15 years. Joe also started & coached the first Knights of Columbus baseball team. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus & American Legion Post #76. Joe enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and attending musicals. He was an avid KU basketball & St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

Joe is survived by his wife, Gloria, Concordia; daughter, Janice Strait & husband John, Concordia; sons, Bob Hamel & wife Brenda, Osborne, Jim Hamel & wife Lynnette, Shawnee & Greg Hamel & wife Julie, Lawrence; daughter in law, Tammy Hamel, Concordia; grandchildren, Jennifer Faulkner & husband Dwight, Brian Strait & wife Chandra, Elizabeth Hamel, Joanna Hamel, Jerrica Baum & husband Steve, Ryan Hamel, Brianna Hamel, David Hamel & wife Cheryl, Amanda Stice & husband Mike, Karter Steinle, Halie Steinle, Pam Hamel & Kelsey Hamel & 10 great grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; son, Larry Hamel; brother, Harold Dean Hamel & infant sister Eileen Hamel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thurs., Feb. 6, 2014 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia with Rev. Brian Lager officiating. Burial will follow at St. Concordia Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Post #76 & VFW Post #588. Visitation will be from 10 am to 9 pm with a Vigil service at 6:00 pm with family greeting friends from 6:30-7:30 pm on Wed, Feb. 5, 2014 all at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Guardians of the St. Joseph Church or the St. Concordia Cemetery Fund in care of the funeral home.