John Joseph “Joe” Duffy, 87, a lifelong area resident, died at 5:35 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at Labette Health. Death followed a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 16, 1925, at South Mound to Nicholas and Ethel (Daxon) Duffy. He grew up on the farm and attended the Liberty School through eighth grade and St. Francis High School in St. Paul, graduating in 1942.

On Oct. 1, 1949, he married Rosemary Marnell at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. They had observed more than 62 years of marriage.

He was employed at Dayton Superior (formerly Ankortite Co.) for 55 years, retiring shortly before his 80th birthday. Earlier in his life he farmed.

Joe was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and was active in church activities and St. Patrick’s School activities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the International Association of Machinists.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and traveling. He also enjoyed being Santa in the city Christmas parade and being the rooftop Santa at his home for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemary Duffy of the home; five children, Marlene LaForge of Parsons, Dr. Michael Duffy and his wife, Kathy, of Eureka, Patrick Duffy of Las Vegas, Nev., Kathleen Whitney and her husband, Jeff, and Rosemarie Wilson and her husband, Jeff, all of Wichita; nine grandchildren, Bradley LaForge and his wife, Shalom, Bridget Dhooghe and her husband, Chris, Brian LaForge, Joy LaForge, Colleen Armbrister and her husband, Ryan, Erin Wood and her husband, Ben, Connor Whitney, Brendan Whitney and Ryan Thomas; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and the Parish will recite the rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday, both at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Smile Train (an organization that provides free cleft surgery for children). They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.