Joseph M. McNamara

Joseph Martin McNamara, age 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Petoskey Mich. He was born on June 30, 1951 in Eaton Rapids, Mich., the sixth of 17 children of Martin and Evelyn (Lancour) McNamara. As a child with many siblings, Joe kept busy with family chores, backyard games of baseball, hikes to Haskell’s Hill, ice skating on the nearby rivers, swamps and rinks, ending many summer days in long games of neighborhood hide and seek. Joe was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School in 1969, during the Vietnam War era. Joe immediately entered the US Air Force reaching the rank of Sgt E-4, Station Clerk. He served in Europe and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Return to civilian life was not easy for Joe and he spent much of his adult life in adult foster homes where he made many lasting friendships. He enjoyed being out of doors hiking, kayaking with family and riding his bicycle. Joe loved spending time with his family, especially playing cards at the dining room table with his mother. He enjoyed family trips to Beaver Island and many outings with his sister Peg and frequent visits with brothers Gary and Pat.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Evelyn; sister and husband Rhea and Mike Seeley; brothers Lawrence and Vincent; brother and wife Patrick and Carol. He is survived by brothers Gary (Julie), Mitch (Helen), Robert (Tom), Christopher (Nancy), Theodore (Nancy), Steven (Brigid); sisters Lynn (Herb) Blue, Nanette (Gerry) Holden, Kathleen (Mike Green), Peg Wilcox (Julie Nathe), Mary and Susan (Floyd) Baker; sisters-in-law Sue (Lawrence) and JoAnn (Vincent); numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids on Monday, May 24, followed by a memorial service, then burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St Vincent DePaul, Eaton Rapids Chapter. To leave online condolences, please visit MillsFuneral.com.