Benjamin Joseph "Joe" Staats

Benjamin Joseph "Joe" Staats, age 85, of Shell Knob, Missouri, formerly of Bentonville, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in his home. He was born October 28, 1929, in Somerfield, Texas, the son of Theodore Oliver and Mary Belle (Atchley) Staats. On May 17, 1953, in Bentonville, Arkansas, he was married to Angie Hester Jackson, who preceded him in death in October, 1999. Also preceding him in death were his parents. On February 22, 2003, in Rogers, Arkansas he was united in marriage to Luceta (DeBusk) Soard, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, JoAnn Staats of Bella Vista, Arkansas and Debbie Speer and her husband, Phil of Seligman, Missouri; three step-sons, Darren Soard of Shell Knob, Missouri, Curtis Soard of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Donnie Soard and his wife, Sarah of Oswego, Illinois; two brothers, Gene Staats and his wife, Shirley of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Robert Staats and his wife, Linda of Bentonville, Arkansas; one sister, Margaret McGee of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Amanda House and her husband, Scott and Wayne Oberg; four great-grandchildren, Samantha, Stacie and her husband, David, Krystal and Savannah; one great-great-granddaughter, Marideth Munson and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Joe grew up and received his education in Texas, graduating from high school in Hereford, Texas and then attended one year of college. On October 13, 1948, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving until April 21, 1954. For several years he was employed as a mail carrier from which he retired. He was past president of the Letter Carriers Association. He had owned and operated Staats Flower Shop in Bentonville, Arkansas and later worked at Sam's for Lost Prevention. In 2003, he moved from Bentonville to Shell Knob, Missouri to make his home. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Shell Knob. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Shell Knob First Baptist Church, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Pastor Bob Gaddis will conduct the services. Burial with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Arkansas. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until service time Thursday in Shell Knob First Baptist Church. Contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus in memory of Joe. Visit www.fohnfuneralhome.com for online obituaries, guestbook and private condolences. John Funeral Home, Shell Knob, Missouri. 417-858-3151.