Joseph La Padula

Services: 1:30 pm, Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake Visitation: One hour prior to service time at the funeral home Interment: 10 am Monday, April 22, 2013 at Ft. Mc Pherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Joseph Gerard La Padula, the son of Joseph Lewis La Padula and Geraldine Calabrese, was born October 27, 1930 in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1947, Joe enlisted into the United States Navy retiring in 1967 at the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. On September 8, 1956, Joe was united in marriage to Lucia M. De Quinzio in Jersey City. They transferred to many locations during his time in the Navy, then made their home in Omaha, NE before moving to Spirit Lake, IA in May 2012 to be near his daughter. Joe was a proud member of Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, National Chief Petty Officers Assn.; Forty and Eight, The Retired Enlisted Assoc, Military Order of Cooties, American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, USS Elokomin Assn., and USS Floyd B. Parks Assn. Papa Joe loved his grandkids, enjoyed going to the casino, traveling, baseball, doing puzzle books and playing cards. He also beat most contestants on Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Joseph passed away April 16, 2013 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa at eighty-two years of age. He is survived by one brother and two sisters; children, Gerry (Ann) La Padula of Spencer, Indiana, Vincent (Joyce) La Padula of Joppa, Maryland, Jo Anne (Michael) Megill of Spirit Lake, Iowa and Patrick (Rosario) La Padula of Houston, Texas; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucia La Padula; granddaughter, Angie Johnson; one sister; his parents and many other loving family members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to either: Angela Lynn Johnson Memorial Foundation care of Wichita State Univeristy or The American Cancer Society.