Joseph H. Kaylor , 88, Bantry, ND died Tuesday, October 30, 2018, in a Garrison nursing home.

Joseph was born January 8, 1930, in Walker, Minnesota to James and Helen (Gruber) Kaylor. He spent his childhood in Simcoe, ND with his grandparents and received his education at North Prairie School.

Joseph was drafted into the US Army and entered active duty on October 17, 1951.  He served during the Korean War and was engaged in combat alongside fellow soldiers, Lefty Keller, Don Waltzer and Al Jundt.  He was accorded the Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star and was a Purple Heart Recipient.  Joe was honorably discharged from military service from Ft. Riley, Kansas on July 16, 1953.

Joseph was united in marriage to Betty Jane Hoelscher on July 14, 1956 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Minot. The couple moved nine miles west of Bantry to the Harrington Ranch, residing there for five years. In 1961, Joe and Betty moved into Bantry and were blessed to raise a family of six children in their home. The Kaylor home always had an open-door welcoming friends and family.  Betty Jane passed away September 4, 2017.

Joseph was employed at the Minot AFB in the housing maintenance unit for 10+years. He was the custodian at McHenry County courthouse in Towner and in between his full-time jobs he painted, wallpapered, shingled and played at many music events. In the 1970s, Joe started Joe's Pumping Service.  He served in McHenry county and the surrounding areas for 40 years working until the age of 86.

Joe was a member of the Catholic faith, Upham American Legion Post #269 and a lifetime member of the VFW in Towner.  He was a talented musician who played many 'gigs' in the area ranging from bars to the nursing home and everything in between.  He loved bingo, pull tabs and was known to visit the casino from time to time.  Joe's story telling ability was second to no person on this earth and he seemed to be able to joke with everyone.  He will be missed most by all who called him dad, grandpa, brother, uncle or friend.  The family wishes to extend their sincere thank you to the staff of the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison for the care and concern given to Joe while he completed his journey on this earth.

Joseph's surviving family includes his children, Gary (Carolee) Kaylor, Upham, Virgil (Susan) Kaylor, Granville, Tim (Deanna) Kaylor, Minot, Elizabeth (Cory) Bercier, Bottineau, Jonathan Kaylor, Bantry and Sarah Kaylor, Bantry; grandchildren, Amy Kaylor, Becky Kaylor, James Kaylor, Kylie (Britt) O'Neal, Kaycee Kaylor, Kyler Kaylor, Claudette (Ken) Mitz, Bobbi (Jeremiah) Kuhnhenn, Fallon Opstedal, Kyle Opstedal, Lindsey (Kouadjo) Bini, Matthew Huwe and Andrew Huwe; great-grandchildren, Tripp Kaylor, Chaysin O'Neal, Teal O'Neal, Brooke Bailey, Destin Mitz, Brock Bailey, Jersey Mitz, Blair Kuhnhenn, Kelsy Prellwitz, Madison Prellwitz, Nova Rosecky; sisters, Kathy Kantor, Cape Coral FL; brothers, Steve (Connie) Kaylor, Walker, MN and Ronnie (Carolyn) Kaylor, Coon Rapids, MN along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty, sister, Dorothy Tatro and brothers, Richard, Robert and John Kaylor.

Mass of Christian Burial:  1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018, at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Towner, ND
Interment:  Bantry Union Cemetery, Bantry, ND at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018, with fellowship and lunch to follow at the Upham American Legion Hall in Upham.
Visitation:  Friday, November 2, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Towner.
Memorials are preferred to the Bantry Union Cemetery, PO Box 502 – Towner, ND 58788.

Joseph Kaylor Flowers