Joseph M. Byrnes was born on August 26, 1937 in Moline, KS. He died on August 14, 2022 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Growing up he played all sports and still found time to work in a small cheese factory. That experience led him to major in microbiology. While studying in Pittsburg, KS, he spotted a woman in a red dress at a dance hall. She would become his wife of 60 years. Joe and Conjetta had two daughters, Debby and Kim.

Joe's humble beginnings in Moline led to the Corporate Offices of Kraft Foods in Chicago where he became the Executive Vice President of Quality Control. He was a larger than life personality who owned every room he entered. He loved to entertain family and friends with home cooked meals and drinks from his bar, all while holding court and telling stories and jokes for hours.

He believed in hard work and treating people well. He enjoyed helping family, friends and charities. Joe loved to dance, golf and make people laugh. He was the ultimate jokester who brought a special energy everywhere he went. He built a beautiful life that is the Byrnes-Money-Steketee-Thompson family tree.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife Connie. He is survived by his daughters Kim Steketee, Debby Money, son-in-law Steve Money, grandchildren Alee Money-Thompson, her husband Jared, Bella, Sophia and Jack Steketee, great granddaughter Charlotte, his sisters Judy Horton, Jane Kristek and his partner in "rolling pin crime" brother-in-law, Bill Kristek. The wake will be Thursday, August 18th from 6-7:30pm, followed by the Rosary from 7:30-8pm at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, MO. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 19th at 10am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Springfield, MO. Joe will be buried at the Garden of Memories in Pittsburg, KS at 3pm.