Rev. Joe Lightner passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2015. He was born on April 10th, 1927 in Chula, Missouri, the son of George A. and Mertie (Cloudis) Lightner and lived with his family in Chillicothe, Missouri. After finishing school he joined the Army where he served most of his time with the Occupation Forces in Japan. Upon his return from Japan he married Frances Foster from Clinton, Missouri in 1948, his devoted wife for 67 years. At age 26 he was called to preach and was ordained in the United Methodist Church. He pastored in Fair Grove, Corder, Conway, Tipton and Willard, Missouri and also spent several years as an Evangelist with the Nazarene Church. He also helped build and pastored the Rogersville Church of the Nazarene. He always had a passion for those in the hospital and had a personal hospital ministry for many years. He later served as Visitation Minister for Campbell United Methodist Church in Springfield. Although his entire life was dedicated to the ministry, he also had a passion for horses and livestock, which was learned from his family. He began trading ponies as a young boy and continued to breed and trade Quarter, Thoroughbred and Paint horses throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Margaret; and two brothers Herb and Jim. He is survived by his wife, Frances (Foster) Lightner, a daughter Linda Hobbs (Bill), sons John (Kathy) and Jim (Michelle), eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren who all reside in Springfield and one brother, Tom of Rogersville. Visitation will be held Saturday April 11, 2015 at 10:00am with a service following at 11:00am in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 1947 E. Seminole in Springfield, with Reverend Andy Bryan officiating. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Rainbow Network in Springfield.