Joseph F. "Joe" Deters, 79, passed away at 2:02 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2015 at his home in Teutopolis.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis with burial in St. Francis Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church with a 6:30 p.m. parish wake. Memorials may be made to donor's choice.

Joe was born April 25, 1936 in Teutopolis, the son of August H. and Frances T. (Pals) Deters. He married Mary Lou Bussman on February 8, 1964 and she survives. Joe graduated from Teutopolis High School with the class of 1954 and worked for John Esker hauling milk. Joe entered the Air Force in 1956 and served at the Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and also in Iceland. He was discharged in 1960 and returned to work for Milton McKinney Trucking. Joe appreciated what Milton McKinney had done for him so much so, that he spoke often about his years with him and visited him often.

In the fall of 1964, he quit trucking to begin farming; a passion he enjoyed the rest of his life. He and Mary Lou were in partnership in farming the land and raising beef cattle and hogs. For a decade, he was a Mycogen Seed dealer. He was very proud to be farming the Bussman and Deters Farms. Many area farmers looked to him for advice and guidance. He often said that if he couldn't farm, he would love to be trucking again. Joe was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis, Teutopolis Knights of Columbus Council #2874 and the Effingham County Farm Bureau.

Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Teutopolis; two sons, Brian (Kim) of Effingham and Brad (Cathy) of Teutopolis; daughter, Jody (Tom) Hardiek of Dieterich; brother, Jim of Sigel; three sisters, Eleanor Gebben of Teutopolis, Irene (Jerome) Probst of Bishop Creek and Rita (Tom) Thoele of Teutopolis; seven grandchildren, Jacob and Kelci Hardiek, Matthew, Julie, Eric, Casey and Caleb Deters, whom he deeply treasured.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Jamie Leigh Hardiek; sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Deters; sister-in law, Louise Deters and brother-in-law, Eugene Gebben.