Joseph David Nehl, 60, of Springfield, passed away at 4:00 PM on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at home. He was born in Springfield on January 27, 1963 to Cletus and Lorenda Nehl.

He graduated from Rogersville, MO High School in 1981, where he sang in choir and played on the basketball team. Joe went to live in Colorado after graduation, where he briefly worked in construction. He loved to hike in the mountains and fish in the streams. Joe returned to Springfield in 1988 to help care for the family farm. He worked for City Utilities as a city bus driver for 27 years, retiring in 2018. He then went to work for Community Blood Center of the Ozarks until the time of his passing. In 1995, Joe became a father to his son, Brandon and in 1998 his daughter, Chanelle, whom he loved with his whole heart. On June 15, 2019 he married his wife, Karen, of Springfield, where they shared many adventures together enjoying their family. Joe was an avid fisherman and enjoyed taking his boat out on the lake every chance he got.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Cletus Mike Nehl in March 1988 and his mother, Lorenda Ellen (Henderson) Nehl in August 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of Springfield; son, Brandon (Alaina) Nehl of San Diego, CA; daughter, Chanelle Nehl of Springfield; step-daughters Rachel (Cody) Shellhorn-Hill of El Dorado Springs, MO, Kayla (Phillip) Francis of Marionville, MO and Sarah (Joel) Ditto of Clever, MO; grandchildren Aiden and Isaac Francis and Hallie and Hendrix Ditto; sisters Martha Nehl of Ozark, MO, Liz and Ediie Inman of Rolla, MO and Rebecca (Tom) Scaff of Roswell, NM; brother, Michael Nehl of Long Lane, MO and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joe was a wonderful father, brother, husband and papi Jo-Jo. He was a big guy, and his heart and love for his family was even bigger. Joe was a gentle giant and displayed such kindness to all who knew him.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 27, also at the Funeral Home. Anyone who wants to come to the house after the service is welcome to 4465 S Ridgecrest Dr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.