Evert "Joe" Senn, 94, died Wednesday, May 1, 2019, in Springfield, MO. He was born on Saturday, November 1, 1924, in Phillipsburg, MO to Achsa (Newport) and Evert Senn.

Joe's father operated the Phillipsburg flour mill built by Joe's grandfather, Christian Senn, a Swiss immigrant. As a youngster, Joe spent countless hours in the mill's shop filled with tools needed to keep the machinery running. He learned to build and fix things, developing a lifelong interest in woodworking. Many of us treasure the items he made and gave us over the years. Fascinated with airplanes from an early age, Joe read everything he could get his hands on about flying, Charles Lindbergh (then still big in the news) and the famous China Clipper now (1935) flying across the Pacific! He began building model airplanes from "scratch," enjoying the challenge of assembling and flying his own designs.
When Joe was 15 his parents sold the mill and opened a Ben Franklin dime store in Warsaw, MO. Joe helped at the store, learning the business. After high school graduation, Joe attended SMS (now MSU) in Springfield until beginning flight training as a Naval Aviation Cadet in 1943. In 1945 he was commissioned as a Naval Aviator and assigned as a torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater. After the War ended he spent a year flying for the Naval Air Transport Service, based in Guam. In 1948 Joe moved to Thayer, MO as the owner and operator of the Ben Franklin store (later Senn's 5 & 10) and met and fell madly in love with Hazel Sullivan. They were married August 7, 1949 and to this union one daughter was born. When asked for the key to their happy marriage, Joe said (with a twinkle in his eye) "Every day I repeat these six words: 'Hazel, I think you are right!'". Joe embraced his new home town of Thayer and did his utmost for the community, including serving as president of Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce, helping establish the Thayer airport, being a volunteer fireman and a loyal Bobcat supporter. He was a faithful member of St. Paul United Methodist, serving on the building committee and as church treasurer. He served 5 years in a Naval Air Reserve Jet Fighter Squadron and was promoted to Lieutenant. He co-authored a book on the history of Thayer and the surrounding area and wrote several other books. But Joe was most content at home with Hazel, working together in their yard and gardens. After 46 years at the store, Joe retired in 1994 and moved with Hazel to Springfield. While missing their dear friends in Thayer, they enjoyed living in Springfield, being closer to family, and the many new friends they made through Ravenwood Homeowners, the Pat Jones "Y" and their new church home, Campbell United Methodist. "Papa Joe" was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed.

Joe is survived by his wife of 69 years, one daughter Susan Metzger (husband Gary) one granddaughter, Amanda Steelman, two step-grandsons whom he loved as his own, Todd Metzger (wife Angie) and Scott Metzger, five great-grandchildren, Lillian Hazel Moore, Shay, Michael, Robert and Grant Metzger and two special "daughters" who lived with Joe and Hazel in Thayer, Gail (Sullivan) Faulkner and Susi Hosang.

Joe's cremated remains will be privately interred at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, 4500 S. Lone Pine, Springfield, MO, under the direction of Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled at a later time. Memorials for Joe may be sent to St. Paul UMC, P. O. Box 241, Thayer, MO 65791, Campbell UMC, 1747 E. Republic Rd, Springfield, MO 65804, or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at The Fremont Senior Living and Good Shepherd Hospice for their compassionate care and support as Joe's cancer progressed. "Well done, good and faithful servant. Come; enter into your Master's joy!" Mt. 25:23