Joe William Stout

Joe W. Stout, Jr. (August 13, 1924 - November 25, 2012) Joe was born in Paxtonville, Pennsylvania, the son of Joe Stout and Elizabeth Reigle. Outgoing and confident, Joe joined the U.S. Navy during World War II where he met his beautiful wife, Martha Beverly Cosgrove, who was serving in the Waves USNR. He served for three years in the Bureau of Naval Personnel and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Guam and Washington D.C. After corresponding with Beverly for sixteen months, he returned to the states where they married in Washington D.C. on January 18, 1946. He attended George Washington University and later graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in business. The couple lived in the Kalamazoo area until retirement. Joe worked for Kalamazoo Art Craft as a commercial interior designer, and eventually started his own businesses, Intra Space Designs and Big Joes sub shops. He retired from the business world in 1985. Many joyful years of golf, lighthouse tending, or just having a "toddy" with Beverly followed in St. Simons Island, Georgia and Sun City, Arizona. Beverly preceded Joe in death on December 4, 2005, after 60 years of marriage. Joe continued to stay active supporting the Harry Stout Foundation with his son up to this year. Joe and Beverly were "blessed" with three loving children; Martha Stout Vermeulen (Eric), Melenee Stout, and Joseph Stout (Annie). Grandchildren include Andrea Belden, Meryl Stout, Allie Hire, Andrew Belden, and Harrison Stout (deceased). If you wish, contributions can be made to the Harry Stout Foundation, or to Hospice of Southwest Michigan, whose "angels" helped care for Joe during the past six months. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 1 at 10:00 at St. Martins Episcopal Church at 2010 Nichols Road, Kalamazoo. A double military service and interment for both veterans will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in the spring. To share a memory about Joe on line, please go to www.avinkcremation.com