Joseph Irwin Greiner Print

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White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644


Independence – Joseph Irwin Greiner, 85 of Independence, IA, died Saturday, January 27, 2018, at ABCM Rehabilitation Centers of Independence – East Campus.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at St. John Catholic Church in Independence.  Burial will be at St. John Catholic Cemetery with military rights.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until service time at St. John Catholic Church on Tuesday.  Memorials will be directed to St. John Catholic Church and School, Cedar Valley Hospice and the Buchanan County Senior Center all in Independence.

Joe was born January 26, 1933, at Talleyrand, IA, the son of John August Greiner and Eva Barbara (Peiffer) Greiner.  He graduated from St. John Catholic High School, Independence, IA, with the class of 1951 and then served in the US Army during the Korean War. Following his service he attended the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, for one year.  On May 5, 1959, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Ann Koch at St. Mary Catholic Church in Lamont, IA.  Joe worked at the Independence Bulletin Journal for 25 years as a pressman and also worked in real estate and insurance for the Smith Agency until 1987.  He was a member of St. John Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 4332, Shysters Coffee Club and the Independence Merry Mixers Square Dance Club of which he was a Past President.  He enjoyed golf, gardening, playing cards, and fishing trips to Canada for 40 years with family and friends.  He had been a Parish Council member, Hospice Volunteer; and with his wife Carol, traveled to all fifty states as well as Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. Joe and Carol were also snowbirds for 18 years, wintering in McAllen, TX.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carolyn Greiner of Independence; three sons, Michael (Julie Thomas) Greiner of Fairfield, IA, Tim (Ruth) Greiner of Milford, KS, John (Tanya) Greiner of Independence, IA; two daughters, Beth (Geoff) Ward of Fairfield, IA, and Amy Jo Felan (Kevin) Jimmerson of Independence; 14 grandchildren, Alex Greiner, Kara Greiner; Bart (Trista) Greiner; Elle Greiner, Sarah Greiner, Claire Greiner; Lauren Ward, Garrett Ward, Grant Ward; Briana (Cameron) Hayward, Megan Jimmerson, Lauren Jimmerson, Mandi Felan, and Zachary Jimmerson; two great grandchildren, Tyson Greiner and Jace Greiner. He is also survived by two sisters, Sr. M. Carolita Greiner and Sr. M. Terese Greiner both of Milwaukee, WI.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Greiner in infancy; a daughter in law, Michele Greiner; three sisters, Mary Ireland, Sr. M. Laurelle Greiner and Ann Weber; and three brothers, Charles Greiner, Peter Greiner and John Greiner in infancy.

White Funeral Home, Independence, IA is in charge of arrangements.