JOE JOHN NEPOTE September 28, 1942 - October 23, 2025

Joe John Nepote, 83, of Girard, KS passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Homestead Assisted Living, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born on September 28, 1942, in Girard, KS, the son of John and Katie (Timi) Nepote. He attended school in Girard where he played football, the cornet, and met his lifelong friends, Bob Zettl and Chuck Southard. He graduated from Girard High School (GHS) in 1959.

Joe earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Pittsburg State University (PSU) in 1966. While at PSU, he proudly served our country as an Army reservist.  During that time, he met Susan Coonrod of Pittsburg, KS, on a blind date, and they were married on March 26, 1966, at the First Christian Church in Pittsburg, KS.  Susan and Joe enjoyed 59 years together.

After a short stint in Kansas City, Joe and Susan returned to SEK and settled outside of Girard on the family farm. Joe earned his second degree at PSU, in education. Joe taught middle school for forty years, teaching for two years at West Mineral and the remaining years at Girard Middle School (GMS).  Joe was very involved in athletics, coaching middle school track, softball, football, and girls’ basketball. Joe also was the assistant coach, GHS girls’ basketball.  After Joe retired in 2004, you could find him most mornings at the Eastside Café in Girard. He later worked part-time at Delange Seed in Greenbush, KS.

Joe was a member of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Pittsburg, KS, where he and Susan volunteered in various positions, especially if it involved cooking delicious food.

Joe is survived by his wife, Susan, of Girard; one son, John Nepote (Michelle) of Franklin, KS;  two daughters  Angie Shireman (Dan) of Girard, and Paula Nepote Becker (Joe) of Gardner, KS; six grandchildren, Kaitlyn Nepote White, Schyler Nepote, Megan Shireman, Adam Shireman, Josie Hilton, and Jack Hilton; great-grandchildren, Kedrick Greene and Leyana Allen; sisters-in-law, Judy Hayn of Lawrence, KS and Jeanette Nepote of Girard, KS; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Joe was proceeded in death by his brother, Don Nepote, and his parents, John and Katie Nepote.  Joe treasured time with his family, watching the KSU Wildcats, working on the family farm, and making salami and sausage with his friends and family.

The family would like to thank the staff of Homestead of Girard, KS and the Harry Hynes Hospice team for providing such wonderful care and kindness.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Pittsburg, KS, with Pastor Dustin Morris officiating.  A visitation will be held Friday, November 7, 2025 from 6pm – 8pm at the Bedene Funeral Home, Arma, KS. Burial services will follow at the Garden of Memories in Pittsburg, KS. To honor Joe, the family asks that you come dressed in your favorite team’s sportwear.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or the Joe J. Nepote GHS Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, KS 66712.