Joseph 'Joko' Horvat

On Christmas Eve, Joseph Anthony Horvat (Joko), loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away at home.
Celebration of Joes life will begin Monday, December 30th at 9:30am at Saint John the Baptist Church (708 N. 4th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101) for visitation, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am.
Joe was born in Kansas City, KS on July 31, 1945, to Joseph and Irene (Bruson) Horvat. The oldest of five, Joe slipped easily into his lifelong role as leader, role model and mentor to his younger siblings. As a proud Croatian-American, Joe attended Saint John the Baptist Catholic Grade School on Strawberry Hill. He graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1963, despite having found his fair share of misadventures with classmates who remained loyal friends for the rest of his life.
Joe worked as hard as he played and looked fondly on his days working at the family-owned Bruson Grocery at Fifth & Barnett. Never having met a stranger, Joe valued his time delivering groceries to the neighborhood of mostly Croatian immigrants which cemented his lifelong devotion to his Croatian heritage and respect for his ancestors. He became the family historian, having exhaustively researched his family tree including two trips to his beloved Croatia and birthplaces of his grandparents.
As a student at Donnelly College, Joe met the love of his life, Sandy DeCelles. Joe and Sandy married on May 6, 1967, and embarked on their journey together which grew stronger with each day of the last 52 years.
Joe served his country for six years in the US Army Reserves as a Medical Tech before beginning his career at Southwestern Bell in 1969 as a lineman where he moved through the ranks, retiring in 2000 as an Asset Protection Manager. Joes phone company career moved the family from Kansas City, to Topeka, Wichita, Saint Louis and eventually back to Kansas City. Once settled home again, Joe became an active member of his childhood parish, Saint Johns. Joe spent time as a Strawberry Hill Museum Tour Guide, a member of the Saint Johns Parish Council, and one of his most cherished roles, as Saint Nicholas at the annual CFU Fifth Street Hall Christmas party. Of course, he was a fixture at the Saint Johns annual social and could always be found singing Croatian folk songs with the local Tamburitza Group. A recent highlight for Joe was cheering alongside thousands of fellow "countrymen" as the Croatian Mens Soccer Team competed for the 2018 World Cup.
A true patriot, Joe consistently displayed his love of America, proudly flying the Stars and Stripes at every home he and Sandy owned. He particularly loved World War II era airplanes, often traveling hours to attend Air Shows. Though not known to many outside his family, Joe was a talented artist in several media, including oil painting and pencil sketches.
Above all, Joe was devoted to his family. His two sons, Joseph Anthony, Jr. (Joey), born in 1969 and Christopher Lee, born in 1972, were his pride and joy. He was infinitely proud of his sons and never missed an opportunity to sing their praises until he was blessed with four grandchildren. He could not contain his love and admiration of his grandchildren and attended their sporting events, concerts, plays, or anywhere else he could watch them shine. Joe absolutely cherished his role as beloved uncle and godfather to many.
In February 2011, Joe suffered a debilitating stroke leading to a grueling recovery, surgeries and many additional obstacles. Joe faced each and every health crisis with his Croatianspirited stubbornness. With Sandy ever-by-his-side, the couple faced each challenge with courage and faith, setting an extraordinary example of devotion, commitment and true love.
Besides countless friends, Joe is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Sandy; sons Joseph Jr. (Sandi) and Christopher Horvat. Four grandchildren: Taylor Leigh, Andrew George, Grace Marie and Isabella Mary Rose Horvat. Siblings, James G. Horvat (Sherrie), Julianne Yarnevich (Henry), Joan Marie Horvat, and Janet Irene Koehler (Tom).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to the Strawberry Hill Museum (720 N Fourth Street, Kansas City, KS 66101).
https://youtu.be/Eh9rFlbBuDU
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GO7wI855SHMxuQlG9P1SzmQtfT3e89cU/view?ts=5e0659c6
click on to watch videos
.

Visitation St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Monday, December 30, 2019

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

708 N. 4th StreetKansas City, Kansas 66101
Directions Mass of Christian Burial St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Monday, December 30, 2019

10:30 AM

708 N 4th StKansas City, Kansas 66101
Directions Inurnment Resurrection Cemetery Lenexa

Monday, December 30, 2019

1:30 PM

W 83rd St & Quivira RdLenexa, Kansas 66214
Directions